ISLAMABAD: The International Labour Organization (ILO) has estimated that around 3.3 million jobs were affected by the devastating floods of 2025 in Pakistan, underscoring the severe impact on livelihoods across key regions.
The assessment, covering 14 of the worst-affected districts in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, revealed that the majority of employment losses occurred in nine flood-hit districts of Punjab. Rural areas bore the brunt of the crisis, accounting for nearly 78% of total job disruptions.
According to the ILO, the agriculture sector suffered the most significant losses, followed by services and industry, highlighting the vulnerability of Pakistan’s rural economy to climate-related disasters.
The study forms part of the broader Preliminary Assessment of 2025 Flood Damages, a joint initiative supported by the United Nations, Asian Development Bank, European Union, and World Bank, with technical coordination led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
While provincial compensation measures provided immediate relief and supported resettlement, the ILO stressed the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to restore livelihoods and income-generating activities in affected areas.
To address the crisis, the ILO has recommended a range of recovery measures, including cash-for-work programmes, vocational skills training, and subsidised credit facilities to help individuals restart small-scale agricultural and non-agricultural businesses.
Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, acknowledged the extensive damage to livelihoods, particularly among daily wage earners, small farmers, and self-employed individuals in rural communities. He emphasised the need for targeted employment recovery initiatives to rebuild income sources and strengthen resilience.
The government, in collaboration with provincial authorities, development partners, and social stakeholders, aims to implement employment-intensive recovery programmes to support affected populations.
ILO Country Director for Pakistan, Geir Tonstol, highlighted that restoring jobs and livelihoods must remain central to the recovery process. He also called for the revival of the “World of Work Crisis Response Strategy” developed after the 2022 Pakistan floods to ensure more coordinated and effective responses to future climate-induced disasters.
Both the ministry and the ILO reaffirmed their commitment to promoting sustainable employment and supporting long-term recovery efforts for flood-affected communities across Pakistan.
Story by Amin Ahmed
