KARACHI: We, the trade unions, labour support organizations, and civil society organizations, are jointly addressing this press conference today to highlight serious concerns regarding one of Sindh’s most important labour welfare institutions: the Workers Welfare Board (WWF), Sindh.
There have been repeated attempts by vested interests to render the recently established WWF Board dysfunctional. More than four petitions have been filed against the new Board. In the latest attempt, an expensive and high-profile senior lawyer was engaged, and the court has granted a stay order against the workers’ representatives on the Board. We respectfully urge the honourable court to vacate this stay order and issue a final verdict that protects the interests of thousands of workers in Sindh.
Today, we would like to share the real reasons behind these repeated petitions and efforts to paralyze the Board which was notified on 4 February 2026 after the approval of Sindh Cabinet.
The primary reason is that the newly established board in its first meeting (the 35th overall Board meeting), held on 3 March 2026 under the chairmanship of the Honourable Minister for Labour and Human Resources, Mr. Saeed Ghani, and attended by workers’ and employers’ representatives, the Board decided to investigate and recover approximately Rs. 25 billion allegedly spent fraudulently during the tenure of the previous Management of the board. Following this decision, a formal statement was issued and published in several newspapers.
Once it became clear that the current Chairman and Board members were committed to eliminating corruption, recovering looted funds, and restoring the WWF’s original mission of worker welfare, corrupt elements became active in an attempt to sabotage the Board.
We wish to bring to the attention of the judiciary, government, the public and the media the following major irregularities that allegedly occurred during the tenure of the previous CEO/Secretary, who was serving on additional charge:
Major Financial Irregularities
Multi-Billion Rupee Repair Contracts
Billions of rupees were allocated for the repair of labor colonies, schools, and other properties; however, internal investigations indicate that these contracts are plagued by alleged fraudulent tenders, violations of regulations, and a lack of actual work on the ground. All these measures were undertaken without the approval of the Works Committee. The efforts are limited to repairing old flats, whereas such a substantial amount could have been used to construct new ones instead.
Rs. 8 Billion – Unauthorized Accidental/Health Scheme
During the former management, over Rs. 8 billion were released to an insurance company in the name of workers’ accidental/health scheme, despite the fact that workers’ health falls under the mandate of SESSI, not the Workers Welfare Fund. Furthermore, this scheme was not part of the approved 2024-25 WWF budget.
Rs. 3 Billion – E-Bike Scheme
More than Rs. 3 billion were released to questionable companies for the purchase of 10,000 e-bikes under a controversial scheme that was neither part of the approved budget nor supported by proper planning or due process. The amount was paid in advance. To date, there is no transparency regarding procurement, beneficiary selection, or distribution.
Rs. 700 Million – Sewing Machine Scheme
Similar to the e-bike project, Rs. 700 million was allegedly released to dubious contractors for procurement of sewing machines intended for workers.
Rs. 1 Billion – Purchase of WWF Office in Clifton
The WWF, Sindh has purchased an office in the expensive Clifton area for over Rs. 1 billion, despite already having an office on Shahrah-e-Faisal. Although it was stated that the office would be acquired to ensure easy access for workers, the selected location is, in fact, difficult for them to reach. The purchase appears unnecessary, as no consultation was held with workers’ representatives, and there are concerns regarding misallocation of resources, including the possibility of double tendering. Despite full payment having been made, possession of the office has still not been obtained.
Rs. 450 Million – Dubious Digitalization Project
An amount of Rs. 450 million was released under an unclear digitalization project to the same company involved in the office purchase. This is a complete wastage of public money.
It is important to note that these controversial schemes were pursued despite objections raised by the members of the board and a majority of workers’ and employers’ representatives through formal letters addressed to the then Chairman.
The new Board, in its first meeting after reconstitution, took serious notice of these alleged violations and decided to cancel controversial contracts and initiate recovery proceedings. Since then, vested interests have intensified efforts to obstruct and disable the Board.
Our Demands
Through this press conference, we call for:
Immediate intervention from the Government of Sindh at the highest level
Active support from the Honourable Chief Minister for the recovery of the looted funds
Intervention from PPP Chairman Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to ensure the current Board can function independently and without interference
Full accountability for all individuals involved in corruption, misuse of funds, and abuse of authority
We, as trade unions, labour support organizations, and civil society groups, reaffirm our commitment to continuing this struggle against corruption in labour welfare institutions. We will work tirelessly to ensure these institutions are reformed and made to genuinely serve the working class.
In the end, we appeal to all labour organizations to use the occasion of International Workers’ Day to demand that labour institutions be cleansed of corruption and that the welfare and well-being of workers be made the top priority.
Thank you.
Names of those addressing the Press Conference:
Nasir Mansoor
(National Trade Union Federation Pakistan (NTUF)
Abdul Razak Memon (Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF)
Amanullah Dahiri (Watan Dost Mazdoor Federation)
Zehra Khan (Home-Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF)
Mukhtiar Awan (Pakistan United Workers Federation (PUWF)
Haider Abbas (PILER)
Nuzhat Shereen (Women Action Forum)
Tahir Khan (Karachi Union of Journalist, KUJ)
Bakht Zameen (Helix Pharma Employees Union)
Riaz Abbasi (SITE Labour Forum)
Khizar Qazi (Humen Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)
Mehboob Malik (All Pakistan Hotel Federation)
Saeed Baloch (Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum)
Azeem Khan (Pakistan Paper Mills employees Union
Liaqat Ali Sahi (Democratic Workers Union)
Mirza Maqsood (Mazdoor Mahaz Amal)
