SHEIKHUPURA, Aug 1: Some EOBI officials have allegedly deprived 10,500 female workers of old-age benefits in connivance with the owners of 105 industrial units in Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib.

Punjab Mazdoor Welfare Federation chairman Syed Abid Ali Shah Bukhari alleged in an application submitted to EOBI chairman Shafi Malik that an EOBI assistant director and a field officer had accepted bribes to exclude the names of these labourers from official rolls.

As per labour rules, five per cent of the salary is deposited in the EOBI account for the welfare of concerned workers. The amount deducted from the salaries of 10,500 employees amounted to Rs15.57 million per annum, Mr Bukhari said.

He alleged that the money had been embezzled by the two EOBI officials and the management of industrial units. The assistant director had become owner of property worth millions, including a bungalow in Jauhar Town (Lahore) and two cars (LXH-893 and LXJ-587). He allegedly had four domestic servants who were being paid Rs10,000 a month, his electricity bills amounted to Rs12000 a month and his two children were studying in Islamabad with their fees amounting to Rs14,000 a month. Mr Athar was drawing a monthly salary of only Rs17,000.

The field officer too had attained valuable properties during his stay at Sheikhupura, which included a car worth Rs650,000 and commercial plots worth millions, Mr Bukhari claimed.

He urged the EOBI chairman and the NAB chairman to hold an impartial inquiry into the alleged embezzlement of funds.

On being contacted, both the EOBI officials vehemently denied all allegations.