EOBI to Establish Helpdesk at SITE Association Amidst Industry Challenges

KARACHI: Dr. Javed Shaikh, Acting Chairman of the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), announced the establishment of a weekly helpdesk at the SITE Association of Industry to address members’ concerns related to EOBI. This initiative aims to facilitate the resolution of ongoing issues and is part of a broader engagement strategy with industry representatives.

According to S.I.T.E Association of Industry, Dr. Shaikh, during his visit, assured the inclusion of SITE Association representatives in the EOBI Board of Directors upon its reconstitution. He highlighted the digitalization efforts of EOBI, which now allow registered units to manage employee details and generate vouchers online. The meeting also addressed concerns over the limited audit of only 4% of registered units and efforts to relax audit protocols.

Zubair Motiwala, Patron-in-Chief of the SITE Association, emphasized the need for government intervention to aid the struggling industry, citing increased utility costs and reduced industrial output. He called for a two-year moratorium on EOBI payments that would not affect workers, alongside requests for fixed EOBI contributions and relaxation for employers who pay gratuity.

The meeting also featured inputs from various industry leaders, including concerns about the declining number of factory workers and the burden of EOBI contributions proportional to wage increases. Suggestions were made to alleviate pressures on employers, particularly in light of ongoing legal cases concerning EOBI arrears.

The SITE Association pledged support in addressing harassment issues faced by its members from individuals impersonating EOBI officers. Coordination between the association and EOBI officials was emphasized as crucial for resolving these and other concerns.

The presence of numerous industry representatives underscored the collective effort to navigate the current economic challenges and seek collaborative solutions with EOBI’s leadership.

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