KARACHI, September 19, 2026: Sindh Minister for Labour, Human Resources and Social Protection Saeed Ghani has said the provincial government will not enforce the proposed Labour Code without consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
Speaking at the concluding session of the National Labour Conference 2026, organised by the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER), Ghani said consultations on the proposed Labour Code were continuing. He stressed that the legislation should address the concerns of both workers and employers.
Ghani also raised concerns about the implementation of existing labour laws in Sindh. He said the province had enacted a large number of labour laws, but their implementation remained affected by several factors, including a shortage of staff.
According to the minister, officers in Grade 17 and above in the Labour Department are recruited through the Public Service Commission. He said that when departments require a larger number of officers, a significant number may subsequently be transferred to other departments.
Ghani said he had proposed in the provincial cabinet that officials recruited through the Public Service Commission should not be transferred to another department for at least two to three years.
Concerns Over Workers Welfare Board
The minister said reforms had previously been introduced in the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI), Workers Welfare Board and Labour Department, but the reform process later lost continuity.
He said the Workers Welfare Board was currently facing administrative problems and claimed that its functioning had come to a standstill despite the availability of funds for workers’ welfare.
Ghani also referred to complaints regarding payment of minimum wages and said the Labour Department did not have sufficient manpower to inspect millions of factories and workplaces on a daily basis. He urged workers who were not receiving the minimum wage to lodge complaints with the department so that action could be taken.
Social Security And Workers’ Welfare
Ghani said work was underway to bring departments dealing with workers’ welfare under the Labour Department and to move towards universal social security.
He said instructions had also been issued to accelerate work on the Benazir Mazdoor Card.
The minister attributed a major obstacle to the universalisation of social security to the federal government’s position regarding the Workers Welfare Fund and Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI). Ghani said the matter had been discussed with the federal government.
SESSI Hospitals
Referring to the Valika Hospital issue, Ghani said an inquiry had been ordered after he became aware of reported HIV cases at the SESSI-run facility. He said further committees were subsequently formed and action was being taken against those found responsible.
He also said the provincial government had established a Rs2 billion endowment fund and was providing Rs40,000 per month to the affected child’s family for the child’s welfare, while treatment was being provided through SESSI.
Ghani said steps were also being taken to improve SESSI hospitals. Under the first phase of a public-private partnership arrangement, he said Valika Hospital at SITE was being handed over for private management, while ownership would remain with the Labour Department.
He added that similar arrangements could subsequently be considered for hospitals in Landhi and other areas, while larger SESSI hospitals were being developed in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and other areas with high concentrations of workers.
Ghani’s Remarks On Privatisation
Ghani also criticised privatisation and said he considered it harmful to workers and government institutions. He alleged that buyers of some privatised institutions subsequently sold assets such as land and machinery, resulting in job losses.
He also referred to the privatisation of Muslim Commercial Bank (MCB) and made allegations regarding the matter, including a claim that it had been cited in connection with a major corruption case. These remarks represent Ghani’s stated position and allegations.
The minister reiterated that consultations with stakeholders would continue before the proposed Labour Code is finalised and implemented in Sindh. The Sindh government had also previously stated that the Labour Code would be finalised after extensive consultations with labour organisations and other stakeholders.
