WITH inflation and unemployment rampant across the country, many have opted to take up freelancing as a career choice. I am one of them. As a freelancer providing graphic design and video/sound editingservicesforthe last several years, I have firsthand experience of the challenges the freelancers face in terms of receiving payments from around the globe.

In 2018, there were restricted banking facilities for freelancers in Pakistan. Today, while some progress has been made, a couple of banks offer worldwide payment transfer services. As such, there is only one bank that facilitates exchanges from countries like Australia, the United Kingdom, South Korea, China, Canada and the United States. However, even this arrangement is not without its share of obstacles.

Internet interruptions seriously affect freelancers, particularly those operating on a small scale, like me. These interruptions frequently render online services unreliable.

For instance, a Dubai-based money transfer service, which had been functioning wonderfully, restrictedits services duringrecentinternet blackouts. Another service being provided by a cellular company is plagued by technical issues that only end up complicating the matter further.

Because of the unavailability of PayPal inPakistan, freelancers are compelled to depend on third-party platforms.

However, these platforms frequently cause delays.

Recently, it took me 12 days to get remittances from the United States in my bank account. Such delays are troublesome for solo freelancers because of the tight timelines within which they work.

The ramifications of these delays are significant. With just 30 days in a month, waiting 15 days for paymentsshatters the ability of the freelancers to meet their basic needs.

The government should present a productive payment system, such as Remitly, customised for individual freelancers to meet their specific needs. The system must guarantee fast and dependable money transfers without depending on third-party services that currently involve delayed payments.

Izhar Ali Abro Hyderabad