KARACHI – President, North Karachi Association of Trade & Industry(NKATI), Faisal Moiz Khan has demanded the Sindh government to review the decision to raise minimum wage at Rs 25,000/-, and minimum wage should be fixed on equal basis in Sindh like other provinces including Punjab.
In a statement, NKATI president said that the decision to fix a minimum wage at Rs 25,000/- against the recommendations of the Minimum Wage Board should be reconsidered by the Sindh government. Otherwise, the cost of industries in Sindh will increase exponentially and they will not be able to compete.
In an appeal to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Faisal Moiz Khan mentioned the recommendations of the Minimum Wage Board and expressed serious concerns over the Sindh government’s disregard for the recommendations of the Wage Board and imposing arbitrary decisions on industries.
“On the one hand, the Sindh Chief Minister, saying that the Sindh government was providing facilities and possible facilities for the promotion of trade & industry. On the other hand, by setting a minimum wage of Rs 25,000, self-made decisions are being made without consulting stakeholders. Which in any case is not in favour of trade and industry but such decisions will hinder the development of industries”, he added.
NKATI president opined that the Sindh government has fixed the minimum wage at Rs 25,000/- in Sindh as against Rs. 19,000 in other provinces. Which is causing concern in the industrial community and now the matter is being heard in the Hon’ble Sindh High Court. The cross-examination has been completed and a decision on the petition is expected at the next hearing.
“Industries in Sindh were facing huge problems due to the continuous increase in production costs, the growth of industries is slowing down and now the decision of the Sindh government to fix the minimum wage at Rs 25,000/- will have a negative impact. In these circumstances, how will Sindh’s industries compete with other provinces”, he feared.
He further said that the Sindh government should understand that Minimum Wage Board is part of the law and must follow its recommendations and not take anti-industry decisions. Who will be responsible for unemployment if industries stop working? While the government has no means of providing employment.
Faisal Moiz Khan appealed Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to follow the recommendations of Manimum Wage Board and like other provinces, Sindh should also implement minimum wage on equal basis. Also, such decisions should not harm the industries and no decision should be taken without taking the stakeholders into confidence.
