Short-handed: EOBI beset by trained manpower shortage

Institution restructuring to help pensioners draw cash through ATM

ISLAMABAD: Acute shortage of trained human resource coupled with structural and administrative issues have been impeding the progress of the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), it has been learnt.

EOBI representatives during a meeting on Thursday informed Wafaqi Mohtasib Salman Farooqui that the institution was facing acute shortage of staff, affecting its performance; however, efforts were being made to overcome the same.

The meeting, held at the Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat, briefed the committee constituted by the federal ombudsman on restructuring of the EOBI.

An official, while sharing the details of the meeting with The Express Tribune, on the condition of anonymity said EOBI officials informed the meeting that the EOBI director general is currently looking after three departments due to the shortage of staff.

In addition, some senior officials against whom the National Accountability Bureau and the Federal Investigation Agency have initiated inquiries have also stopped working.

According to the documents available with The Express Tribune, the Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat has constituted a committee to study the working of the EOBI after receiving complaints against its performance.

Meanwhile, according to a press release, the federal ombudsman was informed that ‘revolutionary’ steps were being taken to restructure the working of the institution including the facility to draw pensions through ATM cards.

EOBI officials stated that this milestone would be achieved by the end of the next month. This step will help pensioners who will receive cash through ATM cards. Efforts were also being made to computerise the EOBI record, they added.

The officials said an agreement with Transparency International will also be signed that will enable the corruption watchdog to map EOBI transactions and procurements, adding this step will go a long way in gaining the confidence of the general public.

While accepting that currently the EOBI was facing structural and administrative issues, they were confident that things will move in a positive direction, adding that for the first time the data of EOBI employees and employers have been displayed on its website.

The officials suggested that a mechanism should be evolved for closer and concerted interaction between the centre and the provinces. An awareness campaign should also be launched very soon, they added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2016.