SHC recommends interim minimum wage

Seeks appointment of wage board chairperson within two weeks

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court recommended on Wednesday that an interim minimum wage be decided among parties till the court decides on the petitions filed by traders and industrialists challenging the Rs25,000 minimum wage notified by the provincial government.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Adnanul Karim Memon fixed September 13 as the date for hearing.

The court expressed annoyance at the appointment of a temporary chairperson for the wage board and gave two weeks for the permanent appointment of an expert in the relevant field within two weeks.

The petitioners’ counsels contended that the government exceeded its bounds by not taking into account the recommendations of the wage board.

They maintained that the Rs25,000 minimum wage will burden industries, compelling some businesses to close shop.

Read Labour leaders demand workplace safety, minimum wage

The bench fixed the hearing for September 13 and proposed that an interim minimum wage be set.

Replies sought

Another two-member bench comprising Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Muhammad Faisal Alam issued notices to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and the Sindh Building Control Authority over a petition pertaining to illegal occupation of a KMC building near Jamshed Quarters.

The petitioner’s counsel contended that the encroachment mafia had carried out construction work on the nullah adjacent to the KMC office and cut down ancient trees. The bench sought replies from the KMC and SBCA and adjourned the hearing till September 28.