LAHORE:In line with the mandate of EOBI Act 1976 and directives of EOBI chairman, federal secretary, federal minister of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources Development’s vision of expanding social protection and promoting workers’ welfare, Maratab Ali Dogar, Deputy Director General (Operations Department), Lahore, accompanied by M Abubakr Saleem, Deputy Director (B&C-II), visited the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) on Wednesday.
During the visit, the EOBI delegation held a productive meeting with Nasir Mahmood, Convener, Social Governance Committee, LCCI, and Ali Hussam Asghar, ESVP of LCCI, to discuss collaborative measures aimed at extending the coverage of the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) to a larger segment of the business community and workforce.
The meeting focused on advancing the objectives of Article 38(c) of the Constitution, which envisages the provision of social security and social insurance to workers. The delegation highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional collaboration with LCCI to encourage employers to register their establishments and employees under the EOBI scheme, thereby ensuring greater social protection and old-age benefits for workers.
The participants also discussed the challenges being faced by the business community regarding the registration of establishments, enrolment of workers, payment of EOBI contributions, and other operational matters. Both sides exchanged valuable suggestions for simplifying procedures, enhancing awareness among employers, and improving transparency and coordination to facilitate compliance with EOBI laws.
Future collaboration remained a key agenda item. It was agreed to nominate dedicated focal persons from both EOBI and LCCI to maintain regular liaison, promptly address employers’ concerns, and jointly organise awareness and outreach initiatives for the expansion of EOBI coverage. Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to working together for effective social governance and extending social security benefits to every eligible worker.
The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to strengthen institutional cooperation between EOBI and LCCI, facilitate the business community, and contribute towards the realisation of the constitutional mandate under Article 38(c) by expanding social protection across Pakistan through enhanced inclusion of stakeholders, employers for workers’ registration and benefits.
