Similar situation prevails in private educational institutions and hospitals where very low salaries are offered, but no action is taken by regulatory bodies of the government.
Very recently, I read a news report regarding notification of Sindh Labor and Human Resources Department about the minimum wages enhanced by the government. The notification said, “All unskilled workers of Sindh Province are informed that in view of the recommendations of the Minimum Wages Board, the minimum wages of workers have been increased from Rs.19000 to Rs.25000 per month, which will come into effect from June 1, 2022, under which all unskilled workers in Sindh Province should not be paid the minimum wage less than Rs.25000 per month. In case of violation, the relevant laws will be implemented under Sindh Minimum Wages Act 2015. This order will be applicable to all Employers in Sindh province to strictly abide by the minimum wage laws for 26 days and 8 hours of duty per day.”
The Labor Department further stated that in case of violation of the Minimum Wages Act, the complainants should contact the office of Minimum Wages Board situated at 1st floor old KDA Building, Sindh Secretariat no.3 Karachi.
“It is further stated that Government/ Semi-Government and all private entities, where laborers are hired through private contractors and tenders to perform various services, they will be bound not to entertain the tender’s contracts in which wages are quoted less than minimum wage Rs.25000,” the notification said.
After going through this notification, I have some question to the authorities of Labor and Human Resources Department.
The questions are:
Do you think a minimum wage of Rs.25000 is sufficient for a worker to meet the needs of his family – three time meal, clothes, medicines, education expenses, house rent etc.? Isn’t it a big joke with poor skilled and unskilled workers?
What this department took steps to implement even the Old Minimum Wages?
Don’t you know that even the Minimum Wage of Rs.19000 per month was not given to the workers?
And now, when the Minimum Wages have been increased to Rs.25000 per month, is it enough just to issue a notification asking the workers to lodge complaints with Minimum Wages Board? How many complaints this Board had received regarding violation of previous wages, and how many of them were resolved? I am sure they (the authorities) have no answer, as no worker would dare to lodge any complaint and lose his job/work.
The officials of Labor and Human Resources Department and the Minimum Wages Board have never left their offices to ascertain the faction position. In case, they have ever visited the industries and other establishments, it would be only to receive bribes for filing report as per the wishes of capitalists.
The situation, I have described here, relates to the formal sector, while grave situation prevails in informal sector, which the concerned departments have always neglected.
Even the regulatory bodies established by the government for private educational institutions and the private hospitals have failed miserably to ensure implementation of laws relating to salaries and wages of teachers and doctors.
I was surprised to read an advertisement of a private hospital in Qasimabad Hyderabad, which had invited applications from the doctors for the post of Medical Officer, offering the per month salary of Rs.30000, while some private teachers in Hyderabad told that they get Rs.6000 to Rs.8000 salary per month.
Where are the Directorates of Private Educational Institutions and the Regulatory body for private hospitals?
It’s a big joke with skilled and unskilled workers as well as the professionals of different fiends, which is the result of corrupt officials sitting at the helm of affairs in these bodies, who are supported by the bureaucrats and ministers at higher level.
Such a situation has compelled even the educated people to accept the low-paid jobs due to unemployment.
Like other parts of country, Sindh is experiencing the phenomenon of unemployed educated people, particularly jobless graduates. According to certain reports, the unemployment rate among degree-holders is almost three times higher than the other overall unemployed people.
The situation is very grave, and the government and its functionaries must consider the ground realities and take corrective measures so that all the people falling in above mentioned categories may get due wages and salaries.
Zeeshan Ahmed Memon
Hyderabad Sindh
