
Dialogue addresses pressing labour issues
In his address, SHRC Chairperson Iqbal Detho underscored the commission's statutory role in safeguarding human rights across Sindh. He stressed the urgent need to integrate BHR frameworks into provincial policies, saying that "robust legal structures and effective institutional coordination at the district level are essential to protect marginalised and vulnerable workers."
Stakeholders, including labour union leaders, civil society activists, local officials, and representatives of the media, participated in the dialogue. They highlighted challenges confronting the local workforce, particularly in Sanghar, a district known for its cotton production and energy resources. Key concerns included meagre wages, hazardous working conditions, and a lack of social security for women employed in agricultural and domestic work.
Speaking on behalf of FES, Abdullah Dayo stressed the importance of promoting responsible business practices and formalising employment relationships. "Ensuring minimum wage compliance, EOBI registration, and third-party monitoring are critical steps toward preserving the dignity of workers in districts like Sanghar," he said.
Sanghar Deputy Commissioner Sarah Javed reaffirmed the district administration's commitment to a rights-based approach to development. SSP Abid Hussain also lauded SHRC's efforts and highlighted the need for urgent attention to broader human rights concerns such as forced conversions and child marriage.
Labour leaders from Sinjhoro drew attention to stagnant wages, the denial of inflation-adjusted bonuses, and the absence of basic healthcare facilities for workers.
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Express Tribune
25-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Dialogue addresses pressing labour issues
The Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) convened civil dialogue to address pressing labour issues and advocate for the implementation of Business and Human Rights (BHR) principles in line with international standards. In his address, SHRC Chairperson Iqbal Detho underscored the commission's statutory role in safeguarding human rights across Sindh. He stressed the urgent need to integrate BHR frameworks into provincial policies, saying that "robust legal structures and effective institutional coordination at the district level are essential to protect marginalised and vulnerable workers." Stakeholders, including labour union leaders, civil society activists, local officials, and representatives of the media, participated in the dialogue. They highlighted challenges confronting the local workforce, particularly in Sanghar, a district known for its cotton production and energy resources. Key concerns included meagre wages, hazardous working conditions, and a lack of social security for women employed in agricultural and domestic work. Speaking on behalf of FES, Abdullah Dayo stressed the importance of promoting responsible business practices and formalising employment relationships. "Ensuring minimum wage compliance, EOBI registration, and third-party monitoring are critical steps toward preserving the dignity of workers in districts like Sanghar," he said. Sanghar Deputy Commissioner Sarah Javed reaffirmed the district administration's commitment to a rights-based approach to development. SSP Abid Hussain also lauded SHRC's efforts and highlighted the need for urgent attention to broader human rights concerns such as forced conversions and child marriage. Labour leaders from Sinjhoro drew attention to stagnant wages, the denial of inflation-adjusted bonuses, and the absence of basic healthcare facilities for workers.


Express Tribune
19-07-2025
- Express Tribune
EOBI registering mine workers
The Senate was informed on Friday that the registration of the mine workers with the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) being handled through provincial set-ups, while a committee had been formed register domestic workers across the country. Speaking on behalf of the Human Resource Development Ministry during the Question Hour, Minister of State for Law Aqeel Malik said that currently more than 11.44 million workers were registered with the EOBI, adding that all of them had been issued the registration cards. "Although the EOBI website does not update registration in real-time, steps are being taken to ensure automatic online data integration," Malik said. "The number of insured workers has since risen to approximately 11.6 million," he added. In reply to a question from Ssenator Danesh Kumar, the minister of state said that details regarding insurance entitlements, affiliated companies, hospital access, and posthumous benefits would be furnished in writing. Malik stated that a 15% increase in EOBI pensions had been approved. To another question from Shahadat Awan, he clarified that the registration of mine workers was being handled through provincial setups. He also said that a special committee constituted on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was actively working to register domestic workers across the country. Senator Masroor Ahsan raised the query regarding EOBI-owned properties. Malik replied that it currently had 49 buildings — 24 in Punjab, 14 in Sindh, five in Islamabad, four in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and two in Balochistan. He added that 40 buildings were rented spaces for regional and field offices. However, Ahsan pointed out that the data did not include plots owned by the EOBI. He suggested that the issue should be referred to a relevant Senate committee. Malik said that details regarding EOBI plots would also be submitted shortly. Responding to Zameer Ghumro's question about EOBI's devolution to the provinces, the minister of state told the house that the matter would be placed before the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and resolved in accordance with constitutional provisions. Responding to several other queries, the minister of state said that 37 appointments were made in Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis through an 'Office Memorandum' issued by the Finance Division on September 6, 2024. Senator Abdul Shakoor Khan voiced concerns over the limited representation from Balochistan, Senator Danesh Kumar criticised the absence of quotas reserved for women and persons with disabilities. Malik said that recruitment was made on open merit and local basis that included minority quotas. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that disadvantaged regions-such as Balochistan, interior Sindh, southern Punjab, and parts of K-P were being prioritised.


Express Tribune
17-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Govt greenlights 15% boost in EOBI payouts
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting on Hajj arrangements for the upcoming year in Islamabad on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Photo courtesy: Radio Pakistan Listen to article The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved 15% increase in pensions provided by the Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), effective from January 1, 2025, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development. This increase will be funded from the institution's own resources. The meeting of the federal cabinet was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The prime minister directed the formation of a cabinet committee to introduce institutional reforms in EOBI. The committee will also deliberate on proposals to extend old-age benefits to the informal labor sector, including domestic workers, agricultural laborers, and other marginalized employment categories that have been previously overlooked. The reforms aim to ensure that workers in these neglected sectors receive their due rights. The cabinet also approved the initiation of necessary legal procedures regarding the draft of the Sea Carriage Shipping Documents Bill, 2025, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. On the recommendation of the Ministry of National Health Services, the cabinet approved a five-year extension of exemption on the import of anti-cancer, cardiac, and life-saving drugs used in hospitals and related healthcare institutions. The medicines are considered vital for saving human lives, and the exemption is intended to ensure their prompt availability. These drugs will be available only in hospitals and authorized institutions, with a ban on open market sales. Import of these medicines will require prior approval from the relevant licensing authority. The cabinet also endorsed the decisions made in the meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases held on July 2, 2025, and July 3, 2025. Earlier addressing the cabinet, the prime minister commended the efforts of all provincial governments, the federal administration, as well as authorities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) for making the best possible arrangements during Muharram. He also expressed gratitude to the law enforcement agencies and all stakeholders for maintaining law and order during the religious observances. The prime minister also spoke about disaster preparedness amid the ongoing monsoon season. He said he had chaired a high-level meeting with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) to ensure best arrangements. He commended the efforts of NDMA for making arrangements to cope with heavy rains in different parts of the country. He expressed sorrow over the loss of lives due to heavy rainfall in various parts of the country, specifically the tragic incident in Swat. He said it was an unfortunate incident and emphasized the need to learn lessons from it and implement measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. On the economic front, PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the recent positive trends in macroeconomic indicators. He reiterated his government's focus on performance and service delivery, announcing that the performance of ministries would be evaluated every two months. "This message I want to make loud and clearit is all about delivery and service to the nation," the prime minister stressed. He added that ministries performing well will be acknowledged and appreciated, while those falling short will be held accountable and asked to explain. During the meeting, he also praised Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal for his ministry's effective utilization of development funds, noting that the development spending had reached over Rs 1 trillion under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).