Payoneer, a global financial services platform, has announced that it will more than double its fees for Pakistani users. This sudden increase has taken many by surprise, particularly freelancers and small businesses who rely on the service for international payments. The move comes as Payoneer faces rising operational costs and regulatory challenges in Pakistan, making it difficult to maintain its previous fee structure.
According to Payoneer, the new fee structure is necessary to ensure the platformās continued functionality in the Pakistani market. The company has cited inflation, currency fluctuations, and increased compliance costs as primary reasons for the fee hike. Previously, Pakistani users were able to withdraw funds with minimal charges, but the new fees are expected to significantly impact small businesses and individual freelancers, who depend on the platform for receiving payments from international clients.
Freelancers, in particular, have voiced frustration over the decision, as many see it as another hurdle in an already challenging economic environment. With limited alternatives for international payment services, the new Payoneer fees could prompt users to seek other platforms or reconsider their pricing strategies to cover the increased costs.
Despite the backlash, Payoneer maintains that the fee hike is necessary for the long-term sustainability of the service. As competition in the global payment industry intensifies, Pakistani users will likely have to adapt to these changes or explore alternative platforms to continue their international financial transactions.