LAHORE: Provincial Secretary Labour and Human Resource Department Ahmed Javed Qazi has said that important reforms have been made in the labour laws under the directions of Prime Minister and Chief Minister Punajb.
He was speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Monday. LCCI President Mian Tariq Misbah and Vice President Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry also spoke on the occasion while DG Punjab Employees Social Security Institution M. Hanif Rana, Commissioner PESSI, other officials, former LCCI Vice President Kashif Anwar and Executive Committee Member Sheikh Sajjad Afzal were also present.
Ahmed Javed Qazi said that amendments have been made in the Labour Act. He said that no penalty will be imposed on those industries that will pay their actual outstanding contribution till June 30th, 2021. He said that in this regard a relief of Rs.5.5 billion has been given to the industry under this amnesty scheme. He said that inspection will be held only 20% industry through transparent balloting.
He said that 94 per cent companies are paying their contribution through online that has made the things more transparent and help to eliminate the malpractice. He said that Marriage grant has been increased to two lakh from one lakh. He said that the children of industrial workers can apply online for scholarships.
He further informed the house that awareness kits have been introduced to get rid of accidents in industry and government has hired sectoral experts to facilitate the industry. He said that labour will be given houses on ownership basis in the housing societies against easy installments.
LCCI President Mian Tariq Misbah said that Punjab Employees Social Security Institution (PESSI) should redefine itself as only a “Service Provider” which essentially means that it should have no role whatsoever in Tax Collection. The responsibility for collection of all Labour Taxes in Punjab should be given to Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA).
He said that the number of labour taxes pertaining to Industries and businesses in Punjab can be reduced considerably by clubbing EOBI, PESSI, WPPF and WWF. The Departments like PESSI, Labour and EOBI can then get their respective shares from the consolidated collection. Since EOBI is collected by the Federal Government, the Government of Punjab should coordinate with Federal Government in this regard.
LCCI President said that the frequency of tax payments of various labor taxes (like EOBI, PESSI) should be reduced to once a year. Currently, the frequency of Tax payments of EOBI and PESSI is 12 times a year.
He said that to reduce cost of Labour and its transportation and enhance competitiveness of our Industry, the Industrial Units should be allowed to utilize 10% of their land for establishing their own Labour Colonies. Government should also take the initiative of establishing Labor Colonies in partnership
