CM writes to PM against ‘unconstitutional’ pocketing of labour funds by FBR

Sindh Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retired) Maqbool Baqar has written a letter to Interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, urging him to exercise his authority and ask the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to return Rs22 billion to the provincial government as the sum was unconstitutionally collected by the FBR as Workers’ Welfare Fund (WWF).

In his letter, Baqar informed Kakar that the collection of the WWF by the FBR was illegal following the adoption of the 18th Constitutional Amendment and the abolishment of the concurrent list.

He told the PM that after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the Sindh government under its devolved powers had adopted the Sindh Workers’ Welfare Act-2014 and Sindh Companies Profits (Workers’ Participation) Act-2015. The two laws were adopted in the province for the welfare of the labourers and their families.

Baqar mentioned that the constitution empowered the Sindh government to collect contributions from the industrial organisations for the WWF. He said the FBR despite the adoption of the 18th Constitutional Amendment had been illegally collecting the WWF. He said Sindh had the foremost right to have the billions of rupees collected under the WWF in the province.

The interim CM said the OGDCL, PSO, PPL and Engro Group and other such large manufacturers and industrial entities had paid the WWF to the FBR though the same should be deposited with the Sindh government.

He lamented that the FBR had illegally collected this sum and failed to transfer the same to the Sindh Workers Welfare Board. He said Sindh had been deprived of the money, which otherwise should have been spent on the welfare and wellbeing of the workers and their families. Baqar shared with the PM a list of a few taxpaying organisations that paid the WWF the to FBR in Sindh.