KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly was informed on Wednesday that between 2022 and 2025, action had been taken against 2,031 factories and establishments for failing to pay workers the prescribed minimum wage.
Furnishing a statement and replies to the lawmakers’ written and verbal queries during Question Hour, Labour Minister Saeed Ghani said that the non-compliant industrial units had been fined a total of Rs45.15 million.
He said that the current minimum wage in the province had been fixed at Rs43,000 for unskilled, Rs44,484 for semi-skilled, Rs53,350 for skilled and Rs55,626 for highly skilled workers under the Sindh Minimum Wages Act, 2015.
In response to a question by Dr Fozia Hameed, the minister said in 2022-23 the minimum wage had been fixed at Rs26,000 for unskilled workers, Rs31,961 for skilled workers and Rs33,491 for highly skilled workers.
He added that between 2022 and 2025, action had been taken against 2,031 factories and establishments for failing to pay workers the prescribed minimum wage, with fines totalling Rs45.15m imposed on them.
He said the department took action on complaints received from workers as well as those identified during regular inspections.
“Obviously, the Labour Department cannot monitor hundreds of thousands of small and large establishments where millions of workers are employed. However, whenever complaints are received through social media, workers’ organisations or other sources, action is taken,” he said.
The labour minister said that Rs111.58m in scholarships were given to children of 765 workers in 2024-25, compared with Rs19.52m for 17 workers in 2023-24.
“Marriage assistance of Rs204.8 million was provided to daughters of 1,236 workers last year, and Rs299 million in death grants were paid to families of 513 deceased workers,” he said.
He said that Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) had collected Rs7.902 billion in contributions in 2022-23 and Rs9.545bn in 2023-24. “More than Rs12 billion has been collected this year,” he said, adding that SESSI and Workers’ Welfare Board (WWB) funds came from employers’ contributions and had no link with the NFC award.
Minister rejects allegations
The labour minister rejected allegations that families affected by the HIV outbreak at Valika Hospital had been abandoned, and said that children were being treated at major hospitals including Aga Khan University Hospital with specialist consultations.
“Besides medical treatment, each affected family is also being paid Rs40,000 per month,” he said.
Sharing details, he said that 16 children were initially found infected with HIV at the SESSI-run Valika Hospital, and that the provincial government had established a Rs2bn endowment fund for affected families while suspending 37 officials held responsible.
He said that he was informed of the matter in October 2025 and immediately ordered an inquiry. “An initial report confirmed infection in six children. By the time a comprehensive report was submitted, the number had risen to 16. For that, 10 people were held responsible and suspended,” he added.
He said the health department had begun screening the next day and later extended it to surrounding areas. “A committee formed by the provincial ombudsman, after examining each case and contacting families, held 37 doctors, paramedics and officials responsible. All were suspended and issued final show-cause notices,” he added.
The labour minister said that the Sindh High Court had directed the provincial chief secretary to constitute a separate inquiry committee, which was currently investigating.
Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2026
