KARACHI: While working against the slogan ‘roti, kapra aur makan’, Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Sindh Commerce and Industries Minister Manzoor Wassan has approved the summary aimed at terminating services of at least 370 lower grade employees of the Sindh Small Industries Corporation (SSIC), Pakistan Today has learnt.
In this connection, sources said that the corporation which works under the administrative control of the industries and commerce department of the Sindh government has prepared a summary recommending the termination of those appointed in the tenure of the last government.
Sources state that the corporation was going through a serious financial crisis and it is unable to pay off the monthly salaries to the employees due to pension and services of its existing and retired employees.
“On April 28, 2015, the Industries and Commerce chairman held a meeting where it was decided that the corporation may complete the internal audit on priority basis through an internal audit team,” sources added.
The audit was conducted and the committee suggested that in order to overcome the financial position, the corporation would have to curtail the expenditure on salaries as the appointments made from August 1, 2010, onwards were beyond the required strength and also recommended the termination of 370 employees.
In addition, the regional directors of the corporation also recommend the termination of employees appointed after August 1, 2010.
The competent authority MD constituted a committee consisting of the officers of BPS-19 to examine the findings of the internal audit. After going through the report, the committee also recommended for termination of services of the employees appointed illegally after the above-mentioned date.
“The corporation in its 73rd Board of Directors meeting on May 21, 2015, unanimously approved downsizing the corporation on the basis of last come first go for surplus pool i.e. date of entry into service vide decision of the Board,” the documents stated.
According to sources, the commerce and industries minister has reportedly directed the corporation authorities for putting up a summary which has been signed by the minister. The minister wanted to make new appointments in the corporation after replacing these old employees, sources alleged.
Pakistan Today repeatedly tried to contact Sindh Minister for Commerce and Industries Manzoor Hussain Wassan, however, his cell phone remained unattended till filing of the report.