Despite court orders, MPAs lay down ordinance to regularise civil servants

Bill passed to issue licences to tourist guides.

KARACHI:

Contrary to the decision of the high court, the Sindh Civil Servants (regularisation of absorption) ordinance was laid down in the assembly on Thursday.

The ordinance, issued by the governor, regularises the services of certain employees, who have been absorbed as civil servants into several government departments.

The Sindh High Court had given its verdict against such workers, who came on deputation from the federal government, corporations and other autonomous bodies. It termed their absorption illegal and asked the government to remove them from their present posts and send them back to their parent organisations. The government however paid no heed to the court orders and now wants to pass an ordinance in their favour.

As the ordinance was being laid down, Pakistan Muslim League - Functional’s Marvi Rashdi tried to bring a resolution to “disapprove” it. In her plea, she pointed out that the issuance of the ordinance was completely against the court’s decision.

However, the treasury members, including the law minister, insisted that moving the resolution was against the rules. “We will welcome any resolution but the member should have tabled it at least five days before the ordinance was being laid down in the assembly,” said Pakistan Peoples Party’s Shazia Marri.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Sardar Ahmed said that since the court had given its decision against the employees, the government should look into this aspect as well. A few members of the ruling party were of the opinion that the government had obtained a stay order by challenging the high court’s decision in the Supreme Court.

Nevertheless, Rashdi requested the speaker to let her read the resolution but a majority of the lawmakers rejected her motion.

The session on Thursday started at around 10:30 am with Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro in chair. The Sindh Travel Agencies Bill was introduced while the Sindh Tourist Guide Bill was passed unanimously.

According to the tourist guide bill, licences will be given to guides to help local and national tourists. In his speech, Law Minister Ayaz Soomro, who also looks after the tourism ministry, said that there are a number of historical places in Sindh and efforts are under way to make them tourist attractions.

Responding to questions raised by the legislators, Labour Minister Amir Nawab said that during the year 2009-2010, they have distributed grants worth Rs232 million among the workers for their daughters’ weddings.

To a question on children making carpets, working at furnaces and hotels in Thar, he said that carpets are made at home so the Employees of Children Act 1991 and the Factories Act 1934 may not be applicable to them. The Sindh Employees Social Security Institution has invested over Rs2 billion as a surplus fund and employees receive the benefits as per their investments.

Child Protection  Authority Bill

The Sindh Child Protection Authority Bill 2011, which was introduced on Wednesday, was deferred. The bill has been prepared to establish an authority to ensure the rights of children. However, the legislators have yet to incorporate all the recommendations given by civil society organisations.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Iqbal Detho of the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (Sparc) said that the meeting was organised by the government but they sent the bill to the law department without incorporating their suggestions.

He said that the current bill gives an impression that it is more concentrated on the setting up of an authority. “It should be talking more about the ways, means and manner in which children will be protected from risks. It does not spell out clear guidelines,” he said.

Sparc members consulted several political parties, who have assured them that the bill will be referred to the standing committee to discuss and add recommendations.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2011.