KARACHI: Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI) Commissioner Miandad Rahoojo announced on Wednesday the registration of unemployed journalists as ‘home-based workers’ to provide them with monetary and medical benefits in collaboration with the Karachi Press Club (KPC).

Mr Rahoojo made the announcement during an informative awareness session at the KPC. The KPC Secretary, Shoaib Khan, stated that the club would serve as a ‘guarantor’ for the registration of media workers under SESSI.

During the session, jointly organised by SESSI and the KPC, Labour Minister Shahid Thahim addressed the concerns of media workers, emphasising the importance of including them in the social security system. KPC representatives also urged the Minister to expedite the registration of all media workers through the club, recommending that Benazir Mazdoor Cards be issued to media workers across the board.

In response, Mr Thahim assured attendees that the government would take all necessary steps to register every media worker, regardless of employment status, and promised consultations with relevant stakeholders on the payment of social security contributions.

In his address, Mr Rahoojo highlighted SESSI’s ongoing efforts to improve medical facilities for registered workers. He provided a detailed briefing on these enhancements, aiming to ensure media workers have access to quality healthcare. Additionally, he shared plans to expand overall facilities under SESSI for media workers, including improved accessibility, broader coverage, and modernisation of existing services.

Both the minister and commissioner reassured the audience of SESSI’s commitment to collaborating with government officials and media representatives to streamline the registration process and address the unique challenges faced by the media sector.

The session served as a platform to educate media workers about their rights and reinforced the government’s commitment to ensuring that all workers, particularly in the media, receive the benefits and protections they deserve under the SESSI Act.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2024