Karachi, November 25, 2024 – Dr. Javed Shaikh, Acting Chairman of Employees Old-Age Benefit Institution (EOBI), has announced to set up EOBI Helpdesk on every Monday at the premises of SITE Association of Industry to facilitate members in resolution of their issues related to EOBI.
He has also assured the members of SITE Association of Industry to take its representatives on the Board of Directors of EOBI, when re-constituted. He was addressing members of SITE Association of Industry on the occasion of his visit. He was accompanied by high officials of his department namely Abraiz Muzaffar, Director (Coordination) and Kanwal Wali Muhammad, Regional Head, EOBI Nazimabad.
Dr. Javed Shaikh said that the system of EOBI has been digitalized and every registered unit has been given user ID and password to enter employees details themselves and generate voucher. He mentioned that only 4% registered units from all Pakistan are audited by the department. He added that relaxation is also being given in audit and from last audit, next two years’ audit shall be done.
In response to a query from Saleem Parekh (Chief Coordinator), Dr. Javed Shaikh clarified that government departments do not fall under EOBI ambit. He said that he is well aware of employers issues and suggested to take up the matters of fixed EOBI contribution and relaxation for Gratuity paying employers with the federal government.
He informed the participants that EOBI fund currently stands at PKR 532 billion which is re-invested in various schemes. EOBI is paying monthly pensions worth PKR 5 billion to registered workers. EOBI collection has improved for the first time during recent months. He directed the Regional Head present in the meeting to contact the Association first before issuing Notice under Section 81.
Earlier, President SITE Association Ahmed Azeem Alvi welcomed the Acting Chairman EOBI to the Association and presented a brief introduction of SITE area. He said that despite highest rates of electricity in Karachi and lack of proper infrastructure, the industrialists of the city are make efforts to keep their industries running.
Patron-in-Chief Zubair Motiwala, while addressing members, congratulated Dr. Javed Shaikh on his nomination as Acting Chairman EOBI. He said that industry is passing through difficult times. Export of agro-based products have increased whereas industrial output has declined. With such highest ever rates of utilities, it is no more possible to run industries.
“We need to reduce cost of doing business. 137% increase has been registered in the cost of utilities. Lot of SMEs have closed down, particularly looms. Capacity utilization is still 70% or even 40% in some industries. He added that as a matter of fact, the number of workers employed in factories have decreased.”
Motiwala stressed the govt. to help industry survive and demanded a moratorium for 2 years for EOBI payment with no impact on workers. He further said that industry is willing to utilize electricity in winter season but the matter has not yet been settled.
President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry Jawed Bilwani said that Dr. Javed Shaikh has always been helpful to the business community and business community considers him as their representative. Karachi is confronted with lot of issues due to which, people are shifting to other provinces. He requested the Acting Chairman EOBI not to take strict action against registered employers keeping in view their issues and the tax share of Karachi city to the national exchequer.
Chief Coordinator Saleem Parekh on this occasion said that despite lapse of decades, EOBI related issues are still persistent. Lot of time of industrialists is spent in dealing with govt. institutions. He demanded to end 6% formulae for EOBI contribution and take a fixed amount as 6% increases proportionately every year with increase in minimum wage, thereby putting extra burden on employers. He suggested to give some relief to those employers who are also paying Gratuity to their workers.
Former Chairman Younus Bashir on this occasion said that the issues of not only SITE area but of other industrial areas are also being resolved amicably on daily basis with the cooperation of Dr. Javed Shaikh. He seconded the suggestion of Saleem Parekh about fixed EOBI contribution. He added that decrease in number of registered workers is due to downsizing in many industries. He expressed the hope that industry issues will keep on resolving with the cooperation of Acting Chairman EOBI.
Former Chairman Majyd Aziz said that as per law two years’ audit may be conducted but EOBI staff is going beyond this and pressurising companies. The case regarding payment of EOBI arrears is pending in the supreme court. The companies who are party to the case and paying regular monthly contribution should not be pressurised for payment of arrears till the decision of case. Employer who are ready to make payment of arrears may not be charged statuary penalty. He also suggested that monthly coordination meetings should be held to resolve coordination issues.
Senior Vice President Khalid Riaz and former SVP Abdul Kadir Bilwani briefed the Acting Chairman EOBI on the issues being faced by member industries of the Association related to EOBI. Members drew attention of the Acting Chairman EOBI towards the matter that some persons impersonating as officers of EOBI visit their factories and harass them. It was decided that the Association will extend full support & cooperation to members and non-members to resolve this issue amicably.
Those present in the meeting included Muhammad Riaz Dhedhi (VP), Muhammad Kaman Arbi, Muhammad Kamran Lakhany, Junaid Rehman, Aman Naseem, Tahir Goreja, Anwer Aziz, Abdul Rasheed, Muhammad Hussain Moosani, Muhammad Rizwan Lakhany, Zaheer Ahmed and others.
