20000328

Modalities for

raise in pension

under EOBI

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Law and Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, Omar Asghar Khan, on Monday unveiled modalities of minimum pension enhancement under Employees Old Age Benefit (EOBI), saying more than 1,08,500 workers and 29,000 widows would be benefited under the scheme.

Addressing a press conference he said that the pension, in the light of Chief Executive's December 15 announcement, has been increased from January 2000 and its distribution would be initiated from April 2000 along with three months arrears. He said that the President has promulgated EOBI (Amendment) Ordinance which has come into force.

He said all pensioners drawing monthly pension from Rs 425 to Rs 629 would be entitled to get minimum Rs 630 per month and to acquire the enhanced amount they would not be required to go to any EOBI office for renewal of pension book instead they would go to their respective banks branches and managers of the banks have been authorised to amend pension books accordingly.

Federal Minister said Habib Bank is the sole bank entrusted with the task to collect and disburse the amount among pensioners and all its branches spread all over country including remote areas and villages, have already been issued instructions and funds in this regard.

The increase which is likely to enhance liabilities of EOBI by Rs 300 million per annum as a large number of industrial and commercial workers and their families would benefit from it, is first phase of the programme of Chief Executive for provision of better facilities to the work force and the government has envisioned to extend the scheme to larger number of workers currently denied facilities or protection, he observed.

Omar Asghar said the progressive definite scheme provides for increase in the rate of pension benefits and contribution on yearly basis and added the scheme is under examination and would soon be pronounced in the second phase of Chief Executive welfare package/programme and elimination of poverty.

Reposing his confidence in the working of EOBI he expressed the hope that it will discharge its assigned task amicably in paying large number of pensioners the arrears and revised pension from next month.

He said government is committed to ameliorating the lot of workers and their families and in near future measures would be taken to bring all the workforce under the ambit of EOBI pension scheme.

Addressing on the occasion the Chairman of EOBI said that 500 officers of the institution have been directed to supervise distribution of enhanced pension and arrears from April 1st all over the country to ensure efficient and expeditious execution of the scheme.ÑPPI