May 06, 2008	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 29, 1429

KARACHI, May 5: The Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (Sessi) has issued notices to industrial establishments for the recovery of social security dues towards their workers.

Lately, a large number of industrial units have been served with such notices asking the owners to pay outstanding social security dues within seven days or be ready for action under Land Revenue Act, 1967.

According to some business leaders Sessi has been receiving millions of rupees from business and industrial establishments but there is hardly any evidence that these funds are used for the benefit of workers.

“The Sessi hospitals required to provide treatment to the ailing workers, are in shambles and normally have no medicines. Consequently, the industry has to provide medicines to their workers from their own funds,” asserted Shabir Ahmed of Pakistan Bedwear Exporters Association.

He further said that doctors and paramedic staff was also not available and millions of rupees collected from trade and industry go to waste owing to corruption and pilferage at all levels.

Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association Chairman Jawed Bilwani said that the industry was already under distress and many units had closed down but institutions like Sessi were adding to their financial problems by issuing notices for the recovery of dues.