ISLAMABAD, Oct 9 (APP):Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination Dr Fehmida Mirza chaired a meeting on resolution of post 18th Amendment issues of Employees Old Age Benefits Institute and Workers Welfare Fund on Tuesday.
Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari also attended the meeting, said a press release issued here.
Representatives of Employers’ Federation of Pakistan and Pakistan Workers Federation from the provinces and Islamabad attended the meeting and discussed, in detail, the issues faced by the Workers Welfare Fund and EOBI after 18th amendment. “We are not against devolution or provincial autonomy but we need the welfare of our workers,” they said.
They highlighted the view that social security net should not be distributed among the states rather it should be managed through the Centre and implemented by the provinces. The trans-provincial fund, assets, institutions and the programmes run by EOBI and Workers Welfare Fund are difficult to be divided among the provinces. Besides, the migration of the workers would be big challenge and if the subject considered are devolved the welfare of the workers would be effected.
The minister said the workers were the main stakeholders and due weightage must be given to their view point as well. She directed the participants to formulate their strategy and submit their point of view in a documented form.
“We believe in cooperative federalism. We need to strengthen each other. And the government is committed to devising a mechanism based on consensus, to ensure the welfare of the workers,” she said.
The representatives of workers thanked the minister for providing them with the opportunity to bring forward their view point. The next meeting in this regard will be scheduled soon.
Fehmida chairs meeting on resolution of Post 18th Amendment Issues of EOIB
