Retired PSM employees: SHC orders govt to make payment within 45 days

KARACHI: Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday directed the federal government to pay the arrears of Rs 11 billion to the retired employees of Pakistan Steel Mill (PSM), who have not approached the court within 45 days.

In previous hearing, SHC had directed the federal government to deposit the outstanding Rs11.680 billion post-retirement benefits of the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) employees by September 30 after petitions were filed by Syed Umar Baqi and 850 other PSM workers against the "non-payment" of their gratuities, leaves encashment and provident funds since May 2013.

However, in response to a court query about the post-retirement benefits of all such retired employees of PSM who had not approached the court and allotment of their outstanding dues, the PSM CEO submitted that the total amount payable to such retired employees was Rs11.680 billion.

In yesterday, hearing, to federal government submitted a report about the payment of arrears of retired employees of PSM who had approached the court, which stated that the process of making payment has started.

Federal government's attorney sought six months' time for the payment of arrears to employees of PSM who were not part of petitioners.

Court rejected the plea and ordered that arrears should be paid in 45 days.

Justice Nadeem Akhtar stated that court is giving the government last chance to pay the amount of arrears of all employees. The court ordered for submission of succession certificates by the heirs of those employees who passed away.

The court also that the relatives of those employees who had moved abroad can collect the amount after furnishing of certificates, verified by Pakistani embassies of relevant countries. The court adjourned the hearing of case till Nov 23, 2020.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020