Social security for all

The province of Sindh, characterized by its diverse economic framework, encompasses a substantial labour force integral to its industrial and service sectors.

According to the most recent Labour Force Survey, Sindh’s labour force comprises millions of individuals, with a significant concentration in Karachi, the economic nucleus. It is imperative to safeguard and empower this workforce to ensure the sustained economic growth and social stability of the region.

In this context, the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI) plays a pivotal role. Established over 50 years ago, SESSI is entrusted with registering labourers and ensuring their access to essential social security benefits. Despite the significant labour force size, SESSI has registered fewer than 400,000 workers across Sindh, highlighting a glaring registration gap.

Despite Karachi’s status as an industrial hub, SESSI has registered fewer than 300,000 workers across the city. This figure starkly contrasts with the estimated workforce within Karachi alone. Reports from organizations such as K-Electric, which claims approximately 32,000 industrial connections in Sindh, suggest a significant registration gap. Assuming an average of 100 workers per industrial unit, millions of eligible labourers remain unregistered.

The implications of this gap are profound. SESSI’s inefficiencies in registration not only deny countless labourers their rightful access to social security benefits but also hinder Sindh’s broader socio-economic development agenda. Imagine the transformative impact had SESSI effectively registered these workers: millions of families could receive free healthcare, children could attend schools under the labour department’s auspices without any financial burden, and the overall quality of life for the working class could significantly improve.

The contrasting success story of the Sindh Revenue Board (SRB), established just a decade ago, underscores the potential for institutional effectiveness under visionary leadership. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah’s leadership has enabled the SRB to modernize revenue collection practices, leverage technology for efficiency gains, and enforce stringent compliance measures. This proactive approach has not only bolstered revenue streams but also enhanced operational transparency and accountability.

In contrast, SESSI’s challenges stem from bureaucratic inertia, outdated operational frameworks, and insufficient digital infrastructure. These factors have impeded its ability to scale operations effectively, resulting in a persistent registration backlog that undermines its mandate and societal impact.

To address these systemic deficiencies, SESSI urgently requires a comprehensive reform agenda. This should encompass modernizing registration processes to introduce streamlined, digital mechanisms, enhancing outreach and awareness campaigns to inform employers and labourers about SESSI’s benefits and registration requirements, and instituting governance reforms to enhance accountability, transparency, and operational efficiency within SESSI.

As Karachi continues to evolve as a global economic centre, SESSI stands poised to play a pivotal role in supporting the welfare of its working population. By revitalizing its operational strategies and embracing transformative reforms, SESSI can fulfil its mandate effectively, ensuring that every eligible worker in Sindh receives the social security benefits they deserve.

The time is ripe for SESSI to embark on a path of revitalization and reform. By seizing this opportunity, SESSI can transform its operational landscape, contribute to socio-economic progress, and uphold the rights and dignity of Sindh’s hardworking labour force.

The issuance of Benazir Mazdoor Cards could serve as a beacon of hope for millions, providing access to essential healthcare and education, thereby paving the way for a more equitable society in Sindh.

Envisioning the future of SESSI, the potential impact of registering 3.2 million labourers in Karachi alone, and an additional two million across the rest of Sindh, cannot be overstated. This means that approximately five million families in Sindh will hold the card and could access free medical treatment without any upper limit.

The children of these families will have access to education under the labour department’s care, and labourers will enjoy various cash benefits, including pensions, iddat and maternity benefits, and dowry grants. Importantly, registered labourers facing sickness will receive financial support from SESSI, ensuring economic stability during times of a health crisis.

Securing these registrations is not just about numbers; it is about transforming lives and strengthening the social fabric of Sindh. By fulfilling its mandate comprehensively, SESSI can pave the way for a more equitable society where every worker’s dignity and wellbeing are prioritized, thus fostering a brighter future for all of Sindh.

The writer is a former lawyer. He tweets/posts @ZameerAMalik