Belarus seeks 150,000 Pakistani workers to boost economy
Belarus plans to accept 150,000 workers from Pakistan, which, according to Minsk's propaganda, will help address the country's demographic and economic challenges. "Come with your parents," encourages Alexander Lukashenko.
What do you need to know?
- Belarus plans to accept 150,000 workers from Pakistan. The decision was announced following Alexander Lukashenko's meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Minsk.
- The migrants are to be employed mainly in industry. Belarus is particularly encouraging employment at the Baranovichi Cotton Industry Association.
- The decision—according to Minsk's propaganda—is aimed at alleviating the labour shortage.
Many of the reports given by Russian and Belarusian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. Such information is part of the information war conducted by the Russian Federation.
What are Belarus' goals?
Alexander Lukashenko announced the intention to accept 150,000 workers from Pakistan, which Minsk claims will help resolve the country's demographic and economic issues. Belarus is dealing with population outflows and an aging population. The Belarusian authorities hope that new workers will help stabilise the labour market.
As Lukashenko emphasised, Belarus is primarily interested in specialists. He encourages entire families to relocate. "If a family comes, they will work," assured the Belarusian leader.
Is migration from Pakistan only an economic issue?
Experts are divided in their assessment of Lukashenko's decision. Pavel Latushka, the leader of the Belarusian opposition, suggests that inviting Pakistanis may aim not only to strengthen the economy but also to trigger a migration crisis in the European Union.
He points out that some migrants may attempt to cross into the EU, which could impact the political situation in the region.
A challenge for Belarus
Lev Lvovsky, the academic director of the BEROC centre, notes that integrating such a large number of migrants could be a challenge for Belarus.
- There has been no such experience in the history of Belarus - explains the economist in an interview with "Gazeta Wyborcza". In 2024, about 30,000 migrants arrived in the country, mainly from former USSR countries, which was a significantly smaller scale than the planned acceptance of 150,000 people from Pakistan.
