A new assessment has warned that Pakistan’s 2025 floods may have severely damaged the job market, disrupting or eliminating around 3.3 million jobs. The impact has been especially harsh on rural communities, where agriculture remains the main source of income.
According to Beyond Time News, the findings come from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which studied employment losses in flood-hit regions of the country.
Rural Areas and Agriculture Hit the Hardest
The assessment covered 14 severely affected districts across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Most of the job losses were recorded in nine districts of Punjab.
The report shows that nearly 78% of total employment losses occurred in rural areas. Agriculture suffered the most, followed by the services and industrial sectors.
As a result, thousands of families dependent on farming and daily wage work have faced serious financial pressure.
Joint Assessment Highlights Scale of Damage
The report is part of a broader damage assessment carried out with support from the United Nations, Asian Development Bank, European Union, and World Bank. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) helped coordinate the technical evaluation.
Officials say the findings highlight the urgent need for structured recovery efforts focused on rebuilding livelihoods, not just infrastructure.
Call for Strong Recovery Measures
While provincial governments have already provided some immediate relief, the ILO stresses that long-term recovery requires stronger and more targeted support.
The organisation recommends several key steps, including:
- Cash-for-work programs to create short-term jobs
- Skills training for affected workers
- Subsidised credit for small businesses and farmers
These measures aim to help families restart both farming and non-farming activities.
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Government Response and Support Plans
Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain said the floods caused major damage to livelihoods, especially for daily wage earners, small farmers, and self-employed workers.
He stressed the need for focused employment recovery programs to help affected communities rebuild their income sources. He also confirmed that the ministry will work with provincial governments and development partners to support job creation efforts.
ILO Urges Long-Term Job Protection Strategy
ILO Country Director for Pakistan Geir Tonstol said rebuilding jobs must remain a top priority in disaster recovery planning.
He explained that the floods have increased financial vulnerability for already at-risk communities. Therefore, timely action is needed to support decent work, restore incomes, and build resilience against future climate-related disasters.
He also called for reviving the World of Work Crisis Response Strategy, originally developed after the 2022 floods, to improve future emergency responses.
Focus on Sustainable Livelihood Recovery
Both the government and the ILO have reaffirmed their commitment to working together with employers, workers’ organisations, and development partners. Their shared goal is to support affected families through sustainable employment programs and long-term livelihood recovery.
The report makes it clear that rebuilding jobs is just as important as rebuilding infrastructure after natural disasters.
