Worker claims Rs64.8m labour award scrapped

Korangi textile mill employee challenges decision in Labour Dept

KARACHI:

A dispute has emerged over an alleged change in a labour court decision after a textile mill employee claimed that a labour commissioner verbally ruled in his favour for over Rs64 million but later dismissed the case in the written order. The matter has been challenged in the Labour Department, while the complainant has also approached the Anti-Corruption Department, alleging corruption.

Muhammad Amjad Awan, an employee of a textile mill located in the Korangi Industrial Area, filed a petition before the labour commissioner's court on October 3, 2024, after he was allegedly dismissed from his job. In his application, he stated that his termination was illegal and that the company had failed to pay his bonus, overtime wages and leave dues.

The case was heard by Grade-19 officer and Labour Commissioner Abdul Samad Soomro, who on December 24, 2025, reportedly announced an order directing the factory owner to pay Rs64.8 million to the employee.

However, the petitioner claims that the decision was announced orally and that he was not provided with the written order on the same day. According to Awan, he was told that the court clerk was on leave and that he could collect the certified copy of the order after a week.

He alleged that when the written order was later issued, it was entirely different from the verbal ruling. Instead of awarding compensation, the written order dismissed his petition, stating that the applicant had already retired and therefore did not fall within the definition of a worker.

Awan has challenged the matter in the Labour Department and submitted an application to the director general, alleging that the order had been typed and sent to the factory owner via WhatsApp, who later forwarded it to him and allegedly issued threats during a phone call.

The complainant further alleged that the factory owner claimed during the call that the commissioner had assured him not to worry and that a settlement would be arranged.