Youth unemployment has emerged as a major challenge in Punjab, where millions of working-age people remain without jobs and the provincial government is now planning new employment support centres.
According to official documents, 3.5 million people from the working-age group are unemployed in Punjab. The unemployment rate in the province has crossed 7%, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing young people and jobseekers.
The figures show growing pressure on the provincial labour market at a time when demand for employment opportunities continues to rise.
According to the labour force survey, Punjab has a total labour force of 49.4 million. The large workforce makes job creation and labour market reforms a key priority for the provincial government.
Officials believe that structured employment support can help connect workers with available opportunities and improve access to the job market.
Employment facilitation centres planned
To promote employment, the Punjab government has decided to establish Employment Facilitation Centres in the province. These centres are expected to support jobseekers, improve employment access and help modernize the labour market.
The initiative is part of the government’s effort to address rising youth unemployment and create a more organized employment system.
Employment centres will be established in six major districts of Punjab. The planned centres will be set up in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan and Sialkot.
These districts have been selected as major economic and labour hubs where job facilitation services can support a large number of workers and employers.
Labour dept tasked with modernisation
The Punjab government has assigned the Labour Department the task of modernizing the labour market within two years. The department will work on strengthening employment services and improving the link between jobseekers and employers.
The move is aimed at promoting employment, reducing unemployment and supporting Punjab’s working-age population through a more efficient labour market system.
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