How to Hire and Pay Remote Employees in Pakistan: Ultimate Guide

Usama Khan

Aug 6, 2024 — 10 min read

Hiring and paying remote employees in Pakistan might seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. With the rise of remote work, finding top talent globally is easier than ever. Did you know that Pakistan is home to a vast pool of highly skilled professionals ready to bring their expertise to your business?

In this guide, you'll discover:

How to hire the best talent from Pakistan
Where to find these professionals
Effective onboarding practices
How to pay your remote employees

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Pavago, a recruitment agency, makes this process seamless and cost-effective. With our expertise in hiring top talent from Pakistan, you can focus on growing your business while we handle the rest. We offer a sustainable pricing model: a yearly membership for just $500 or unlimited placements at $329 per month per candidate.

Why Hire from Pakistan

Hiring remote employees from Pakistan offers numerous advantages, making it an attractive choice for businesses worldwide.

Access to Skilled Professionals

One of the primary benefits is the access to a large pool of highly skilled professionals, particularly in fields like customer support, sales, digital marketing, and IT. The country has invested heavily in education, producing a young, STEM-trained workforce. This focus on education and skills development means you can find top-tier talent at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries.

Cost Efficiency

Cost efficiency is another significant advantage. The cost of living in Pakistan is relatively low, which translates into lower salary expectations from employees without compromising on the quality of work. This economic benefit is crucial for small and medium-sized businesses looking to scale while keeping expenses in check.

Cultural and Language Compatibility

Moreover, the cultural and language compatibility of Pakistani remote workers is noteworthy. English is widely spoken and used in business and education, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration with international teams. Many Pakistani professionals have experience working with global clients and are familiar with Western business practices, further facilitating seamless integration into your remote team.

Where to Hire in Pakistan

Finding the right talent for hiring remote workers in Pakistan can be achieved through various channels, each offering unique advantages. Here are some effective ways to hire remote employees in Pakistan:

Facebook Groups and LinkedIn

Facebook Groups: Numerous Facebook groups cater to professionals seeking job opportunities in Pakistan. These groups are excellent for finding niche talents and networking with potential candidates. Some popular groups include "Freelancers in Pakistan," "Pakistan Remote Jobs," and "IT Jobs in Pakistan."
LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a powerful tool for hiring remote employees. By posting job listings and connecting with professionals in relevant industries, you can access a broad talent pool. LinkedIn's advanced search features allow you to filter candidates based on skills, experience, and location, making it easier to find the right fit for your business.

Freelance Platforms

Upwork: Upwork is one of the largest freelance platforms globally, offering a wide range of skilled professionals from Pakistan. You can find experts in IT, software development, digital marketing, and more. Upwork provides a secure payment system and project management tools to facilitate smooth collaboration.
Freelancer: Freelancer is another popular platform where you can hire freelancers for various tasks. It offers features like milestone payments and time tracking to ensure project transparency and accountability.
Fiverr: Fiverr allows you to hire freelancers for specific tasks or projects. You can browse through different service categories, view profiles, and read reviews to find the best match for your needs.

Offshore Recruitment Agencies

Offshore recruitment agencies specialize in sourcing talent from countries with emerging markets, such as Pakistan. These agencies provide businesses with access to a large pool of skilled professionals at competitive rates. They handle the entire hiring process, including screening, interviewing, and verifying qualifications, ensuring that you get the best candidates for your needs. Agencies often have extensive networks and databases, which allow them to quickly find and match candidates to job requirements.

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Pavago specializes in hiring from Pakistan, providing businesses with top 1% talent at 70% less cost compared to traditional hiring methods. With a robust process, we ensure you receive vetted and highly skilled professionals within just three weeks, making it an efficient and cost-effective solution for your recruitment needs.

Online Job Portals

Rozee.pk: This is one of the leading job portals in Pakistan. It allows employers to post job listings and access a large database of job seekers. The platform covers various industries, making it a versatile option for finding skilled professionals.
Mustakbil.com: Another popular job portal, it offers employers the ability to post job ads and search for candidates. It is user-friendly and provides a broad reach within the Pakistani job market.

How to Hire in Pakistan

The general steps applicable for hiring are also applicable to the recruitment process in Pakistan:

Step 1: Job Post Advertisements

Advertise a job post as the first step in the hiring process in Pakistan via job portals, boards, and social networking sites. Popular job portals include Rozee.pk and Mustakbil.com. Social networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook groups such as "Freelancers in Pakistan" can also be effective. Ensure your job post lists all the requirements needed for the open position, including qualifications, skills, experience, and any other specific criteria.

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Tip: Use clear, concise language and include keywords relevant to the position to attract the right candidates.

Step 2: Check Applications

Review applications thoroughly to shortlist candidates that match the requirements for the role. Look for relevant experience, skills, and qualifications that align with the job description.

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Tip: Create a checklist or scorecard to objectively evaluate each application against the job criteria. This helps streamline the shortlisting process.

Step 3: Interviews

a woman sitting at a table with a piece of paper in front of her — Photo by Resume Genius / Unsplash

Conduct virtual or physical interviews to interact with prospects and best judge their abilities. Video interviews can save time and resources, especially when hiring remote employees.

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Tip: Prepare a structured interview format with a mix of technical and behavioral questions to assess both the skills and cultural fit of the candidates.

Step 4: Background Checks

Perform background checks with the prospective employee’s consent. Ensure that these checks are thorough but not used discriminatorily. Verify employment history, education, and any references provided by the candidate.

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Tip: Use professional background check services to ensure accuracy and compliance with local laws legal requirements.

Step 5: Final Offer

Dispatch an offer letter to the selected candidate, mentioning all working norms and conditions. Include details such as salary, benefits, working hours, job responsibilities, and any other relevant information. The employee must accept this offer before signing the employment contract.

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Tip: Be clear and transparent about the terms and conditions in the offer letter to avoid any misunderstandings later. Follow up promptly to address any questions or concerns the candidate might have.

How to Onboard Remote Employees in Pakistan

Onboarding remote employees effectively is crucial to ensure they integrate smoothly into your team and become productive quickly. Here are the steps to onboard remote employees in Pakistan:

Step 1: Prepare Onboarding Materials

Before the new hire's start date, prepare all necessary onboarding materials. This includes employment agreements and contracts, company handbooks, training materials, and any other relevant documents. Ensure that these materials are clear and compliant with Pakistani employment laws.

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Tip: Use digital tools like Google Drive or Dropbox to share these documents easily and securely with the new hire.

Step 2: Welcome and Introduction

Schedule a virtual meeting on the first day to welcome the new employee and introduce them to the team. This helps to make the new hire feel valued and part of the team from the beginning.

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Tip: Use video conferencing tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams to facilitate face-to-face introductions.

Step 3: Assign a Mentor or Buddy

Assign a mentor or buddy to the new employee. This person can guide them through the initial days, answer any questions, and help them understand the company culture and processes.

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Tip: Choose someone who is approachable and knowledgeable about the company's operations and culture.

Step 4: Set Up Tools and Access

Ensure that the new hire has access to all necessary tools and systems. This includes email accounts, project management tools, communication platforms, and any other software they will need for their role.

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Tip: Create a checklist of all the tools and access needed and ensure these are set up before the new hire starts.

Step 5: Provide Training and Resources

Conduct training sessions to familiarize the new employee with their job responsibilities and the company’s processes. Provide resources and documentation they can refer to as they settle into their role.

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Tip: Use a combination of live training sessions and recorded videos to accommodate different learning styles and time zones.

Step 6: Set Clear Expectations and Goals

Communicate the expectations and goals for the new hire clearly. Outline their job responsibilities, performance metrics, and any initial projects they will be working on. Regular check-ins during the first few weeks can help ensure they are on track.

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Tip: Use project management tools like Asana or Trello to assign tasks and monitor progress.

Step 7: Foster Communication and Feedback

Encourage open communication and provide regular feedback. This helps the new employee feel supported and allows you to address any issues early on. Regular one-on-one meetings can be very effective.

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Tip: Use tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams for daily communication and feedback.

Step 8: Integrate into the Company Culture

Make efforts to integrate the new hire into the company culture. This can be challenging with remote employees, but virtual team-building activities, social hours, and encouraging participation of remote teams in company-wide meetings can help.

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Tip: Schedule regular virtual team-building activities to foster a sense of self motivation, community and belonging.

If you want to bypass the lengthy hiring process, choose Pavago. Not only do we provide access to top 1% talent from Pakistan, but we also offer comprehensive training to ensure seamless onboarding. This allows you to integrate new hires quickly and effectively, letting you focus on growing your business without the hassle of managing the recruitment and training process.

Book a call with Pavago to hire top talent

How to Pay an Employee in Pakistan

Once an independent contractor sends you an invoice for their work, you can pay them. Here are several ways to send payments to independent contractors here in Pakistan.

International Bank Transfer

Making a direct bank transfer to the contractor’s bank account is a secure and convenient payment method. This method is particularly useful for large transactions as it is reliable and traceable. However, international bank transfers can be subject to a few days' delay due to processing times and may incur fees from both the sending and receiving banks.

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Tip: Ensure you have the correct bank and bank account details beforehand, including the SWIFT code, IBAN, and the contractor’s bank account number, to avoid any delays or issues.

Online Payment Platforms

Wise (formerly TransferWise): Wise offers a simple and secure way to send money internationally with lower fees and better exchange rates compared to traditional banks. It is known for its transparency and speed.
Payoneer: Payoneer is a popular choice for freelancers and contractors in Pakistan. It provides a global payment service that allows contractors to receive payments directly to their Payoneer account, which can then be withdrawn to a local bank account or used via a Payoneer debit card.
Elevate: Elevate offers payment solutions tailored for freelancers and businesses, focusing on efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It is designed to simplify the process of paying international contractors with minimal fees and quick transfers.

International Money Orders

International money orders are widely accepted and easy to document, making them a reliable option for sending payments. However, this method can be inconvenient and slow, as it requires physically mailing the money order, which can take time to arrive and clear.

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Tip: Use international money orders for payments that require physical documentation or when other electronic methods of international payments are not feasible.

Money Transfer Services

Western Union: Western Union allows you to send money that contractors can collect in person from a Western Union agent. This method is quick and accessible, especially in areas where banking services may be limited.

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Tip: Inform the contractor about the expected arrival time of the funds and provide them with the necessary details to collect the payment, such as the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN).

Make Hiring Easy with Pavago

Wrapping up, hiring and paying remote employees in Pakistan can be a straightforward and rewarding process when approached correctly. You now have a solid understanding of how to navigate job advertisements, interviews, and payments. Here are the key takeaways:

Advertise job posts effectively using online platforms.
Conduct thorough application reviews and interviews.
Perform necessary background checks.
Offer competitive and compliant employment terms.
Choose the best payment methods for your contractors.

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For those looking to streamline this entire process, Pavago is your go-to solution. Not only do we provide access to top talent from Pakistan, but we also offer comprehensive training programs to onboard them smoothly. With us, you can focus on growing your business while we handle the recruitment and training, ensuring your new hires are productive from day one.

FAQ'S

What’s the Minimum Wage in Pakistan?

As of the latest update, the minimum wage in Pakistan is set at PKR 32,000 per month. This wage applies to all provinces and sectors, ensuring a basic standard of living for workers across the country.

When Are Holidays for Employees in Pakistan?

Official public and religious holidays used in Pakistan are listed below:

5 February - Kashmir Solidarity Day
23 March - Pakistan Day
1 May - Labor Day
Date varies - Eid al-Fitr
Date varies - Eid al-Azha
14 August - Independence Day
Date varies - Ashura
28-29 October - Prophet’s Birthday
25 December - Quaid-e-Azam Birthday

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