Labour experts believe that the Federal government should continue oversight the labour affairs even after devolution of labour ministry under the 18th Constitution amendment.
Labour experts, researchers, officials of Provincial and Federal Governments and representatives of trade unions spoke at a meeting organised by the Pakistan Institute of Legislative development and transparency (PILDA), Islamabad on the issues of international treaties, EOBI, WWF, Trade unions, uniformity of workers benefits in multi provincial companies and uniform safety and social protection laws.
Speaking in the meeting Javed Gill, Central Labour Advisor of Federal Ministry of Labour and Manpower, said that the Industrial Relation Authority (IRA) bill is finalised, which will be presented in the Parliament. He said that it needs support of Parliamentarians. The representatives of Provincial Governments were of the opinion that they can handle the issues arising out of labour after devolution but will be in a position to do so after devolution process is complete.
Zafar Iqbal Gondal, Chairman, EOBI, was of the opinion that EOBI and Workers Welfare Fund should be merged whether it remains in federal or devolved to the provinces. He believed that no province at the moment is capable of handling the EOBI or WWF. In Worker Welfare Fund the federal income is almost Rs 7 billion per month and their expenditure is just over Rs 500 million.
After devolution KPK and Balochistan would not even be able to meet salaries of their employees in Worker Welfare Funds. The EOBI funds will meet the same fate as KPK and Balochistan have less income and more liabilities. Participants stressed on uniformity of laws among provinces. They believed that it is a window of opportunity for provinces as well to cut their administrative cost. Federal oversight is necessary in labour affairs.