Islamabad (TD): As a step towards enhancing the mobility of world labor, the European Union, together with the Italian and Pakistani governments, is working to create a sustainable and systemic way of foreign work in the SkillNet project.
European Union Ambassador to Pakistan, Riina Kionka, and senior Italian and Pakistani officials recently attended a seminar in Islamabad aimed at harmonizing labor migration with bilateral economic opportunities and fair recruitment.
Ambassador Kionka highlighted the role of global cooperation in establishing systems that are equitable, efficient, and can benefit both the sending and receiving countries.
🇵🇰🇪🇺🇮🇹 “Today’s conference marks a pivotal moment in our journey toward a sustainable, cooperative framework for international labour mobility.” – EU Ambassador @RKionka at the Labour Mobility seminar under #SkillNet.
🇪🇺-funded SkillNet connects 🇵🇰 talent with 🇮🇹 jobs & training. pic.twitter.com/vd41e4zM6G— EUPakistan (@EUPakistan) July 31, 2025
“The SkillNet project is not just about migration; it’s about human capital, skill building, and making sure people move with purpose and with dignity,” she added.
The seminar pointed out how SkillNet capitalizes on such previous efforts by institutionalizing and augmenting opportunities and strictly putting the pre-departure training, ethical recruitment, and recognition of qualifications across borders first.
The project seeks to establish institutional capacity in Pakistan to deal with labor mobility and migrant protection.
SkillNet, supported by the European Union and run by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), seeks to establish legal migration channels through closing gaps between employable Pakistani workers and Italian job openings.
Read More: Italian Envoy Recounts Pakistan, Italy’s Cooperation on Environmental Preservation
It is committed to skill development, qualification recognition, and the creation of secure, open migration routes.
For many years, Italy has worked out various initiatives for Pakistani laborers, especially in sectors like agriculture, care work, hospitality, and construction.
Under the Decreto Flussi program, thousands of Pakistani workers have travelled legally to Italy, and previous programs have included work visas and bilateral agreements.
A passionate International Relations student with a strong interest in diplomacy, policy, and global affairs. Dedicated to contributing thoughtful analysis and research on international issues.
