ISLAMABAD, Oct 2: The joint meeting of the National Security Council and the federal cabinet will approve here on Wednesday a couple of ordinances to provide protection to the civil servants.

The rationale behind the ordinances is said to be an effort by the military government to allay the fears prevalent among the civil servants about their career, particularly in the aftermath of the devolution of power plan’s implementation.

To be presided over by President Gen Pervez Musharraf, the meeting would also consider a draft prepared by the labour ministry for refixing the minimum wages of unskilled workers, informed sources told Dawn here on Tuesday.

The minimum wages of unskilled workers were fixed some 10 years back. But recently, the government has refixed the minimum wages at around Rs3,000. The ordinance to be promulgated in this connection will only give legal cover to the decision, sources added.

Labour Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001, will also be submitted to the cabinet for consideration and approval. The minister of labour will give formal briefing to the joint meeting.

Sources said that the meeting will also be briefed on the first year allowance for plant and machinery leased by the scheduled banks.

Moreover, a brief presentation will be given to the meeting on the new Income Tax Ordinance, promulgated on Sept 13, replacing the income tax law of 1979.

The meeting would ratify the agreement on cooperation in science and technology between Pakistan and Myanmar and a trade agreement between Pakistan and Vietnam.

Federal Education Minister Zubaida Jalal will give a briefing on the proposed ordinance on compulsory primary education in Islamabad.

According to sources, after getting vetted from the cabinet, the ordinance would be promulgated in the capital as a model and later it would be applied across the country.

Federalisation of Kashmir Chowk-lower Topa-Kohala-Muzaffarabad road will also come under discussion.