IT minister announces official policy for 10,000 e-work centers

Islamabad:

The caretaker minister for information technology and telecommunications announced the official policy on Wednesday to set up about 10,000 e-job centers across the country, targeting freelancers who often do not have a suitable workplace.

Dr. Umar Saif said in a post on Twitter that there are about 1.5 million freelancers working regularly in Pakistan. He emphasized that facilitating freelancers is necessary to improve their performance and efficiency at work.

“If we can facilitate a million freelancers, their earnings will increase to about $10 billion a year,” he said, adding that with other measures already in place, including being allowed to keep up to 50% of their earnings from exports and the easy way of receiving their payments freelance activities are expected to increase in the country. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications found that the majority of freelancers are from smaller cities and towns, and female IT professionals are mostly from remote areas where job opportunities in their field are scarce.

Reading 10,000 e-Rozgar centers will be created for freelancers

Acknowledging that many freelancers do not have the necessary facilities like a proper work environment and fast internet at home, Saif said that under the new policy, e-Rozgar centers will be equipped with all basic amenities, each with a capacity of 100 people for work.

The program includes the provision of interest-free loans to building owners who wish to convert their properties into e-Rozgar centers, capable of accommodating 100 people.

According to the officiating minister, the most critical aspect of the e-Rozgar centers will be networking and connectivity among freelancers, creating an atmosphere that supports them in pursuing high-quality projects.

Saif also highlighted the performance of the caretaker government, noting that they have taken 13 major steps in the last four months to strengthen the IT and telecom sector.