KARACHI, Nov 28: Measures were discussed to make the laws relating to industrial and commercial sections as investment friendly at a meeting of the Sindh Cabinet here on Wednesday. The meeting, presided over by Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro, was told that Sindh was leading the other provinces in this regard.

It was stated that the business/industrialist community of Sindh now openly admitted that they were much better placed than their counterparts in other provinces as far as the ‘one window tax collection facility’ and streamlining of various inspections was concerned.

Industries Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas briefed the cabinet on Sindh government directives for joint inspections and streamlining of industrial labour laws.

The present government has reduced the number of existing labour laws to only six consolidated laws. However, it has been ensured that by reducing the number of labour laws the workers rights guaranteed to them should not be disturbed.

List of the Proposed Consolidated Laws.

1. Industrial relations Ordinance 2001: Laws relating to industrial relations, maintenance of industrial peace, Trade Union activities and related matters.

2. Wage ordinance, 2001: Laws relating to wages, cost of leaving allowances and legal dues.

3. Conditions of Employment ordinance, 2001: Laws relating to terms and conditions of employment in respect of Commercial, Industrial establishment and shops.

4. Human Resource Development ordinance, 2001: Laws relating to Human resource development, vocational training, Skilled Development, Apprenticeship and employment policies.

5. Occupational safety and health ordinance, 2001: Law relating to the safety of workers work places and establishment an guarding of moving parts of machineries, electric connection and preventive measures in respect of occupational diseases.

6. Labour Welfare and Social Security ordinance, 2001: Laws relating to Labour Welfare schemes and social security net.

The secretary said the government had already prepared the three drafts by simplifying and consolidating related laws. These include: IRO, 2001 which replaces IRO, 1969; Wages ordinance, 2001 which replaces Payment of Wages Act, 1936, Minimum Wages Ordinance, 1961, and The Employees Cost of Living (Relief) Act, 1973; Conditions of Employment Ordinance, 2001 which replaces The Employment (Record of Service) Act 1951 (XIX of 1952), The West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (standing orders) Ord, 1968, The West Pakistan Shops and Establishments Ordinance, 1969, The Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilitation) Ordinance, 1981, and The Employment of Children Act, 1991.

The other decision implemented are as under:

One-window facility has been provided by the Excise & Taxation Department by deputing some staff in the office of “M” division (property tax) in SITE to issue challans of Professional Tax.

The Excise & Taxation department has offered to post its staff at Nazimabad for one-window facility in industrial estates of North Karachi, F.B. Area, Korangi etc on the pattern of SITE subject to making the accommodation available for the staff by the trade associations concerned.

As regards the provincial labour-related cess/contribution, Education Cess and Social Security Contribution, it was stated that SESSI was already collecting the Social Security Contributions and Education Cess from registered employers in Sindh. As for collection of the EOBI contribution and workers welfare funds under the one-window arrangements, amendments in relevant federal laws were required as EOBI and Workers Welfare Fund etc are federal subjects. The Federal government has been requested in the matter. The decision of the cabinet has been conveyed to the EOBI for necessary action/implementation.

Inspections of industrial units by SESSI have been restricted to once in a year. A self-assessment schemes is being introduced under which such inspection will not be necessary.

Irrigation and Power department: Copies of the proposal amendments to the Electricity Act, 1917 pertaining to Inspection by the Electrical Inspection of the Irrigation and Power department shall be provided through Industries Department to the representative of Trade and Industry Associations for receiving a feedback on the proposed amendments.

Inspections of industrial units/commercial units in the province by the electrical inspectors of the Irrigation and Power department shall be subject to a decision by provincial cabinet, on the summary to be submitted by the Irrigation and Power department.

Environment protection agency: Environment inspection will also be held together. All The Departments: Inspections of industrial units in the province other than those mentioned at (1) (V) and (VI) shall stand discontinued by the provincial government departments and agencies.

The issue of inspections by electrical inspectors of the Irrigation and Power department is under consideration of the sub-committee headed by the minister for industries, for submission of viable option to the cabinet for its resolution.

Since the cabinet decisions were circulated to all the departments by SGA&CD, the decisions must have been noted by all departments for compliance. Besides, a notification has also been issued by SGA&CD to the same effect.

The cabinet was informed about the response in relation to the implementation of cabinet decisions which were as under:

The suspension of inspections of shops and commercial establishments by shop inspectors, clubbing together of the inspections of various government departments, reduction in the number of inspection from 23 to 6 highly welcomed by the private sector.

Stopping of inspections by the Bureau of Supply and Prices/Agriculture Department under Weight and Measures Act, appreciated by the private sector.

Notifications issued for clubbing together/stopping/reducing number of inspections duly vetted by the Law Department.

The Associations of Trade and Industry of Korangi, Landhi, North Karachi and F.B. Area industrial estates committed to provide accommodation to the staff of the Excise and Taxation Department for providing one-window facility for tax collection.

The meeting with the private sector held on Nov 21 expressed their full satisfaction with the measures taken by the government for providing one-window facility for tax collection and streamlining of inspections.

The governments of Punjab and the NWFP have stated that they are examining the proposals of labour, transport, industries and commerce departments, government of Sindh, regarding the reduction of powers of labour inspectors, assignment of duties of labour inspectors to the labour officers in the respective areas by making amendment to the Factories Act, 1934 in view of inter- provincial repercussion involved in the matter.

A wide publicity has been given to the decision and steps taken to streamline industrial inspection in the press/print media to ensure to avoid harassment to the industrialist/business community by the inspecting agencies.

Provincial Agriculture Minister Hasan Ali Chaniho informed the cabinet about the position of the Water-users Association (WUAs) organized and registered under on farm water management.

He said that during October 2000-October 2001 the registered WUAs were 569 while organised WUAs (NDP) Nara were 115.

He said that 13,775 meters pucca lining were improved. At farmers’ cost (technical support by staff of OFWM), 7,3920 meters earthen (kutcha) improvement made at farmers cost (technical support by staff of OFWM, 166 pucca install in earthen (kutcha) improved watercourses and 20 technical sanction sent to district government for financial sanctions under the KPP.

He said that during the last two decades 7,694 WUAs were formed and 7,496 watercourses were improved. The formation of WUAs for the renovation of watercourses was an incentive to farmers.—APP