"SESSI will set up a helpdesk at SITE Association of Industry (SAI) to facilitate online registration of industries of SITE area on the SESSI web portal."

This was announced by the Vice Commissioner of SESSI, Asif Memon.

Giving a presentation on "online business registration" at SAI, he said that anyone starting new business will log on to website www.business. sindh.gov.pk and register his new company.

This information will be automatically send to all concerned departments such as labour department, utilities companies etc, thereby eliminating the need to contact them separately.

The departments receiving this information through automated channel will then contact the new business themselves.

This is part of efforts being done for "Ease of Doing Business" in which Pakistan has already made great headway.

"All existing industries whose data is already available with SESSI will have to fill a form for online registration.

The SESSI office will do the data entry in their system at their own and issue log in credentials to the registered person asking them to proceed with providing details of their employees, registered with SESSI", he added.

Asif Memon informed the members that the deadline fixed for online registration is December 31. After completion of registration process, Smart Cards linked with NADRA shall be issued to employees to get healthcare benefits.

President SITE Association Suleman Chawla raised many questions which were satisfactorily answered by the Vice Commissioner.

On his proposal, he assured to send a pdf copy of "Online Registration Guide" for circulation among members to educate them.

Chairman of EOBI, SESSI & Labour related levies sub-committees, Ali Ahmed drew the attention of vice commissioner towards labour related issues being faced by members of the association.

It was informed that minimum contribution is 1,050 which is 6% of 17,500, minimum wage whereas upper wage limit is 22,500. Any existing employee who crosses upper wage limit will continue contribution on upper limit whereas new hiring on above 22,500 wages will not require registration with SESSI.

Senior Vice President SAI Saleem Nagaria, Vice President SAI Farhan Ashrafi, members of the association and high officials of SESSI attended the meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019