Karachi: Ismail Suttar, President Employers’ Federation of Pakistan(EFP), said that through a national compact with EOBI, Employers may voluntarily make their contribution on the basis of prevailing minimum wages, if EOBI is ready to facilitate the additional burden caused because of this initiative, while addressing the “National Tripartite Dialogue Consultative meeting on EOBI” organized by Employers’ Federation of Pakistan(EFP) in collaboration with International labour Organization (ILO) at Local Hotel Karachi.
Ismail Suttar further added, “Litigations are pending in various High Courts on the point of rate of minimum wage on which contribution to EOBI is payable. In order to resolve the legal issues currently being faced by business in paying EOAB contribution and till all the litigations are not disposed of and the Federal Government does not come out with a federal law applicable to all provinces, we need to find an amicable solution to the legal détente”.
He proposed that EFP is in favor of a volunteer initiative from employers to find a way out so that the workers getting retired from their services do not loose in terms of getting their pension at enhanced rate from EOBI.
Ms. Ingrid Christensen, Country Director ILO in her remarks welcomed the National Tripartite Dialogue Consultative Meeting on EOAB and said that any decision should be made after proper diagnosis of multiple issues from perspective of all the tripartite partners and taking into account actuarial assessment of EOB Funds. She endorsed the statement of Mr. Suttar and emphasized that all partners need to agree on a common understanding of issues to the satisfaction of the tripartite constituents and the society at large. She hoped that the social dialogue will continue on the subject till vital decisions are taken and implemented.
Azhar Hameed, Chairman EOBI in his welcome remarks on behalf of MOPHRD thanked EFP and ILO for the initiative taken for organizing this very important and grand Social Dialogue which was long awaited. Giving a presentation on objectives and achievements of EOBI, he informed that there was substantial increase in workers’ pension from 2010 onwards during which period the pension amount was increased from Rs. 3,000/- to Rs. 8,000/- per month in-spite of the variations in the contribution amount received by the EOBI because of legal issues. There has been constant increase in the contribution collection which increased from Rs. 15 Million in 2015-2016 to Rs. 21 Million in year 2019-2020.
Chairman EOBI complimented the employers for consistently cooperating with EOB in-spite of the pandemic crisis which is helping in EOB survival and growth. He also informed about EOBI investment portfolio and gave an update on the Projects revived by EOBI and decisions taken to improve its sustainability. He also gave a brief outline of the new Projects being undertaken by EOB and the new products like health insurance and life insurance for pensioners and secured persons, low-cost housing scheme etc. and look forward that with mutual understanding of the Tripartite Constituents, EOBI will be transformed into viable and sustainable institution providing strong social protection floor to the industrial workers.
In the two technical sessions which followed, Fasihul Karim Siddiqi, advisor EFP and Zahoor Awan, General Secretary, Pakistan Workers’ Federation presented their papers respectively on Employers and workers perspective on EOBI including issues and challenges concerning contributions, effectiveness and sustainability of EOBI.
Raja Faizul Hassan, ILO Consultant presented his paper on legal reforms in EOBI. In the technical sessions which was moderated by Saghir Bukhari, Senior Programme Officer ILO and Saad of PWF, the participants raised a number of questions which were responded by Azhar Hameed, Chairman EOBI and Zaki Ahmed Khan, Vice President EFP.
Muhammad Khan Lehri, Labour Minister Balochistan, while speaking on the occasion as the Chief Guest congratulated EFP and ILO on organizing this very timely and interactive consultative meeting and expressed the hope that this process of social dialogue should continue among the Tripartite partners so that EOBI is strengthened to deliver the desired results.
Employers and worker’s representatives form Balochistan, KP, Punjab and Sindh attended the meeting in person as well as on zoom in large numbers. Prominent among those present were Ahmed Ali Lakho, Joint Director Labour Sindh, Ms. Saira Atta, Secretary Labour Balochistan, EFP Board Directors, Mr. Majyd Aziz (former president), Khalid Junejo Mr. Humayoun Nazir and Mr. Feroz Alam, Nasim Chaudry, President PWF, Ramzan Khan, President PWF from PKPK Pir Muhammad, President PWF Balochistan, Tikka Khan, President PWF form Islamabad, Karamat Ali, Director PILER, Shafiq Ghouri, Moosa Khan, Ms. Zehra Khan, Ms. Farhat Parveen and others. Secretary Labour AJK, Director General Labour Punjab, President LCCI, Iftikhar Shirazi, Board Director EFP were prominent among those who attended the session through zoom.
Zaki Ahmed Khan, Vice President EFP presented mementos to Labour Minister & Secretary Labour Balochistan and Chairman EOBI.
