All Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association's 410 out of 1047 members (units) are not yet registered with Employees Old Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), which means a large number of employees working in those units are deprived of EOBI's benefits.
This was stated in a letter No EOBI/SA/CS/MIN/2012, written by Muhammad Jamil, Director (CS) EOBI to Mukhtar, Assistant Chief, Ministry of Human Resources Development in response to a ministry's letter seeking comment on complaints of Rana Muhammad Mushtaq Khan, Chairman Value-Added Textile Forum (VATF), Karachi, against EOBI officials.
It is to be mentioned here that Mushtaq in a letter to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had complained against alleged harassment of VATF members (exporters) by all regional heads of EOBI. The EOBI's letter, a copy of which has been obtained by Business Recorder, states that the allegations levelled in the letter of Rana Muhammad Mushtaq are incorrect and baseless. "It is unfortunate to note that an association of employers indulges in this sort of campaign. If the forum, however, has any reservations or complaints, we are here to resolve it," the letter added.
It further said that textile sector employing around 15 million workers is considered to be the biggest employer in Pakistan. "Hosiery and Value Added units in textile sector roughly employ 2.5 to 3 million workforce. There are 1047 members of All Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (APHMA) whereas only 637 units are registered with EOBI and contribution on behalf of only 0.12 million is being received. In Karachi, 418 APHMA members units operate while only 338 are registered with the EOBI," it added.
The EOBI is charged with the responsibilities of providing social protection to the entire civilian workforce of Pakistan. In its endeavours, the institution is doing every effort to extend coverage to millions of labour force of the country. The institution has therefore, always stressed upon coverage of workers and never acted as tax collector, the letter stated.
"Being trustee of the workers cause, the institution would never compromise on interest of the employees. The registered establishments may increase or decrease number of employees as per their requirements and pay contribution accordingly. The EOB law concentrates on employees irrespective of the profitability of any business or industry.
The institution has never encouraged harassment of its stakeholders rather has acts as a facilitator while protecting rights of the employees as per the EOB Act, 1976. It was because of the trust in the functioning of EOBI that major federations of workers and employees associations voiced in favour of the institution to remain at Federal government," it added.