Latest news with #Rs192
Express Tribune
21 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Revised wages for workers announced
The Government of Sindh has notified a minimum monthly remuneration of Rs40,000 for each unskilled worker, employed across all industrial and commercial establishments in the province, effective from July 1, 2025. Labour Minister Shahid Abdul Salam Thaheem, while announcing the revised wage structure, said the minimum monthly salary for semi-skilled workers has been set at Rs41,380, for skilled workers at Rs49,628, and for highly skilled workers at Rs51,745. These revised rates are applicable across all registered and unregistered establishments, ensuring equal pay for male and female workers. He further added that any establishment paying on an hourly basis must now ensure a minimum payment of Rs192 per hour for their workers. The minister emphasised that the wage revision aims to ease the economic burden of inflation and promote a dignified livelihood for the working class. He also affirmed that the Labour Department remains in constant engagement with industrialists and will ensure strict implementation of labour laws across the board.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sindh govt sets minimum wage at Rs40,000
The Government of Sindh has officially issued a notification setting a minimum monthly wage of Rs40,000 for unskilled workers employed in industrial and commercial establishments across the province. This new wage structure will be effective from July 1, 2025. Shahid Abdul Salam Thaheem, the Provincial Labour Minister, made the announcement, revealing the revised wage scale for different categories of workers. According to the new rates, semi-skilled workers will receive a monthly salary of Rs41,380, skilled workers will earn Rs49,628, and highly skilled workers will be paid Rs51,745. These rates apply to both registered and unregistered establishments across Sindh, ensuring that both male and female workers receive equal pay for equal work. The Minister emphasized that any establishment paying workers on an hourly basis will now be required to ensure a minimum of Rs192 per hour. This new provision aims to safeguard the rights of hourly wage workers and ensure that they are fairly compensated for their labour. Minister Thaheem reiterated that the Sindh government is committed to pro-labour policies and is taking concrete steps to guarantee better working conditions and improved wages for the workforce. He highlighted that this wage revision aims to mitigate the impact of inflation on workers and provide them with a dignified livelihood. "The revision of the minimum wage is a significant step towards alleviating the economic burden on workers, helping them cope with the rising cost of living," the Minister stated. He further assured that the Labour Department is in constant communication with industrialists and will ensure the strict enforcement of labour laws to protect workers' rights.
Express Tribune
11-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Leaking DISCOs
Listen to article As Pakistan begins to inch toward a long-overdue path of economic recovery, the government has been eager to highlight improvements across sectors — none more so than the power sector, where Federal Minister for Energy Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari claims a "success" in reducing electricity theft and losses by Rs192 billion. But in truth, this is a damning reminder of how deep-rooted dysfunction continues to plague DISCOs, and how these entities remain one of the biggest drags on the country's economic revival. The Rs591 billion loss inflicted by government-run DISCOs in FY2023-24 is a symptom of institutional rot. While the minister points to a reduction to Rs399 billion as a sign of progress, let us not forget that this remaining burden is still being shouldered by taxpayers and honest bill-payers. The breakdown of the losses is as follows: Rs315 billion lost due to unpaid bills and Rs276 billion attributed to electricity theft. Even with improved recovery rates and marginal savings, the fact remains that nearly Rs400 billion continues to bleed from the system every year. This is a massive leakage in an economy. Power theft, non-recovery and technical inefficiencies all stem from the same root cause: a lack of governance and accountability. For years, DISCOs have been run on the basis of political patronage and outdated systems that allow theft and corruption to flourish unchecked. While reforms and merit-based board appointments are welcome, they are not a silver bullet. Without independent audits and zero-tolerance enforcement on corruption, these reforms will remain cosmetic. The bar should not be so low that reducing theft is considered a success. DISCOs must be transformed from politically compromised entities into professional, performance-driven utilities. As Pakistan enters a new fiscal year with hopes of economic renewal, one message must be clear that recovery will not be possible without root-and-branch reform of the power sector.
