LAHORE: The Punjab government has assured All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) of resolving industry issues on priority. This assurance was extended by Nabeel Javed, Secretary Labor, Government of the Punjab during a meeting with the APTMA delegation on Thursday.

The APTMA delegation consisted of Chairman APTMA (North) Hamid Zaman, Senior Vice Chairman Kamran Arshad, Vice Chairman Asad Shafi, Executives S.M. Nabeel, Ali Arshad and Secretary General Raza Baqir. Senior Punjab government officers belonging to all the attached offices of Labour Department were also present on the occasion.

Chairman APTMA (North) Hamid Zaman highlighted the problems being faced by the mills regarding penalty on the payment of Punjab Employees Social Security Institution (PESSI) arrears.

He said that APTMA member mills are seeking a waiver of the penalty levied under section 23 of the PESSI Ordinance to voluntary pay outstanding PESSI arrears in easy installments. The textile industry has already started voluntary payments of the principal amount as per mutually agreed schedule with the PESSI, he added.

According to Zaman, a waiver of the penalty on voluntary payment of PESSI arrears would encourage the rest of the industries to pay their dues immediately.

Secretary Labour asked Director General, PESSI to complete initial working on PESSI arrears and directed for holding another meeting during the next week to amicably resolve the issue.

He said the Punjab government was already attentive to all the industry issues keeping in view the fast-changing business environment the world over. He said necessary measures are being adopted to facilitate the industry on issues faced by them especially in view of the current economic melt down and global recession.

Secretary added that the Punjab government would leave no stone unturned to provide a business friendly environment to facilitate to grow their businesses which ultimately conducive to growth and wealth creation in the province.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023