Karachi, June 27, 2018 (PPI-OT):Sindh workers welfare board has cut all its major welfare expenditures due to non release of funds since last March and could face monetary challenges ahead after 30th June if transfer of funds not ensured in time.
This was revealed during a briefing to caretaker minister for labour and human resources Simon John Daniel here at worker welfare board head office. Secretary SWWB Syed Mehdi Shah, director finance Anwer Ausaf, assistant secretary education Ms. Nuzhat Habib dy. director welfare Ahtisham, and dy. director technical Muzafar Shah made detailed briefing on the budget, development, education and welfare measures.
Secretary board Mr. Shah also informed that governing body has completed its term and owing to delay in reconstitution of new governing body, we were unable to present budget for the financial year 2018-19. He added that procedure of fund transfers to board have also been changed without bringing into the notice of board.
‘’When we approached Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) for the transfer of funds collected from industrial units/ companies under Sindh Worker Welfare Fund, we were verbally advised to approach finance department for release of funds saying that SRB had transferred funds amounting to around Rs. 2 billion to finance department ,” secretary board added. He informed that formerly workers fund were directly transferred to SWWB by the Sindh Revenue Board.
Mr. Shah said that at present funds were being collected from companies / industrial units on the basis of old minimum wages adding that then minimum wages were 3000 per month and suggested to amend relevant rules for collection of workers fund as minimum wages have been raised to 15000.
On the occasion, caretaker labour minister Simon John Daniel assured board to raise this important issue with higher authorities of Sindh government. He also directed to convene a joint meeting of labour secretary and board administration with secretary finance on urgent basis to resolve this matter. Caretaker minister for labour Simon John Daniel said that workers were the key stakeholders of our country economy adding that if worker prosperous, country will progress.
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