The Sindh Labour Department plans to establish a dedicated ‘Labour Registration Helpdesk’ at the S.I.T.E. Association of Industry every Tuesday and Thursday. Secretary Labour Sajid Jamal Abro announced the move during his visit to the association on November 11, following a suggestion from SAI president Abdul Hadi.
During his visit, Abro was accompanied by the SESSI Commissioner, Director Labour Sindh, Joint Director Labour, and other senior officials. To simplify worker registration and improve industrial labour services, Abro urged industrialists to report any officer demanding money for registration. He also invited association members to utilize the S-BOSS platform for the process.
Regarding healthcare, Abro stated that efforts are underway to upgrade services at the Kulsumbai Valika Social Security S.I.T.E. Hospital under a public-private partnership model. He assured that a “notable change” in service delivery would soon be visible and invited members to revisit the hospital to witness the improvements.
Addressing the HIV outbreak at Valika Hospital last year, Abro said a number of actions had been taken against those found responsible. A committee had been formed under the Chief Secretary Sindh, while an endowment fund of PKR 2 billion had been created. Families of affected children are being paid PKR 40,000 per month to meet their daily expenses, and this financial assistance will continue for years.
Earlier in his welcome address, SITE President Abdul Hadi expressed confidence that the Secretary Labour, being an experienced professional, would help resolve issues faced by association members relating to the Labour Department. He said the five departments falling under the Labour and Human Resources Department should be clubbed together to achieve the goal of ease of doing business.
Patron Saleem Parekh expressed that there was a possibility of massive layoffs in industries due to unfriendly business conditions and suggested preparing to face the situation. He demanded a one-year contribution amnesty for industries, noting that industries were also being affected by trade accords and labour union activities. He stressed the need to jointly work out solutions to address these issues.
Senior Member Majyd Aziz highlighted the anti-export activities of labour leaders and expressed concern that they were also being given representation in different committees. He suggested identifying gaps, allowing time for correction and imposing penalties only as a last resort.
Former President Riaz Uddin stressed the need to reform the tripartite labour committee through improved representation, pointing out that the existing representation was inappropriate and the understanding of the nominees was also sub-par.
Chairman of the Labour Committee Khalid Riaz said that despite substantial collections in SESSI contributions, no amount was being spent on improving healthcare services at Valika Hospital, SITE. He requested the Secretary Labour Sindh to direct the SESSI Commissioner to share the organization’s audit reports with industry representatives.
Advisor of the Labour Committee Abdul Kadir Bilwani suggested spending 25% of the total SESSI contribution collection from S.I.T.E. on the improvement of the hospital so as to attract other industries to get registered with SESSI.
The meeting was attended by Riaz Uddin, Ahmed Azeem Alvi, Ahmed Zulfiqar Chaudhry, Muhammad Hussain Moosani, Muhammad Riaz Dhedhi, Muhammad Tahir Goreja, Muhammad Rizwan Lakhany, Junaid-ur-Rehman, Azeem Motiwala and others. Senior Vice President Muhammad Farhan Ashrafi proposed a vote of thanks. As a gesture of goodwill, the Association’s shield and a bouquet were presented to the chief guest.
