Reforms In EOBI Soon: Chairman

Chairman, Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), Azhar Hameed Wednesday assured the industrialists that harassment to industries in the name of inspection will not be tolerated and the institution was fully committed to facilitate payments of EOBI contribution by the industries

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Apr, 2019 ) :Chairman, Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), Azhar Hameed Wednesday assured the industrialists that harassment to industries in the name of inspection will not be tolerated and the institution was fully committed to facilitate payments of EOBI contribution by the industries.

He was addressing the members of SITE Association of Industry during his visit to the association's office. He was accompanied by high officials of his department, said a SITE press release issued here.

EOBI Chairman said that amnesty-like scheme to encourage payment of EOBI contribution by industries could be considered. Reforms were being introduced in the EOBI and positive development would be made soon.

He offered to give nomination to SITE Association of Industry in the board of Trustees of EOBI and added that it would help in redressing grievances of industries expeditiously.

He also suggested to nominate a Focal Person from SITE Association to work as point of contact between the industries and EOBI.

Giving his views on the devolution of EOBI after 18th Amendment, Azhar Hameed said that it would create lota of issues for workers if EOBI was declared as a provincial subject because a large number of workers in Karachi come from other provinces and a considerable 30 percent share of pension was trans-provincial.

"We are working to ensure that pension procedure is completed in 45 or earlier as per provisions of law," he said.

About contribution payment, Azhar Hameed asked industries to make payment from 2016 onwards on the minimum wage of 13,000. Giving the details of pension benefits, Azhar Hameed said that by end of the current financial year, EOBI pension payments would touch 35 billion mark.

EOBI was also working to lower our revenue losses by revitalizing investment projects.

Regarding inspection and audit, EOBI Chief said that audit parameters were being reviewed which would be shared with industries. E-portal services and system data were also being improved. In next few months, almost 80 percent data of EOBI would be corrected. A new system for employees' registration will be introduced in next few months. "We want partnership with industries to achieve a win-win situation." President SITE Association, Saleem Parekh stressed the need for resolution to litigation matters amicably and requested the Chairman EOBI to withdraw the demand for payment of arrears of previous years as the order was implemented from retrospective effect.

He suggested to introduce an amnesty-like scheme for the industries as it would not only encourage employers to make payments of EOBI contribution but would increase the collection at the EOBI end.

Parekh also requested Chairman EOBI to clarify legal standing of the institution after 8th Amemnent.

He pointed out that situation was still not clear about minimum wage on which, EOBI contribution was paid.

Patron of SITE Association, M.Zubair Motiwala said that since EOBI had sufficient funds available, it should consider suspending payment of EOBI for few years to give some relief to the industries. EOBI fund should be used for workers welfare only and in this regard, SITE Association was ready to extend every support to EOBI.

Former chairman of SITE Association Younus M.Bashir also spoke.