The Sindh Workers Welfare Board (SWWB) has come under scrutiny after the Sindh government ordered a thorough investigation into projects worth over Rs20 billion initiated by its previous management.
Sources said the new governing body of the board has withdrawn several controversial decisions, terming them against the interests of workers and the institution.
The schemes under investigation include a Rs3 billion program to distribute 10,000 free electric motorcycles (e-bikes) to industrial workers, alleged misuse of Rs6 billion allocated for workers, and development projects related to labor colonies, flats, and housing schemes.
The board has previously faced high-profile allegations, including a Rs5 billion tender scam in which procurement processes were allegedly manipulated by publishing tenders in dummy newspapers and concealing them from the Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (SPPRA) portal to limit competition.
In 2025, the matter was taken to the Special Anti-Corruption Court, which ordered a high-level inquiry. Additional concerns include illegal allotment of flats meant for laborers and encroachments on workers’ housing.
A recent inquiry conducted by the provincial labor department reportedly uncovered massive embezzlement and serious flaws in the multi-billion-rupee schemes.
The new governing body, chaired by Labor Minister Saeed Ghani, met on Tuesday and decided to withdraw the controversial projects while ordering a transparent and comprehensive investigation. The meeting was attended by senior officials and representatives of both workers and employers.
According to an official statement, the minister emphasized that safeguarding workers’ rights remains the government’s top priority and declared that no compromise would be made on labor welfare.
The board also approved an increase in financial assistance for workers. The marriage grant for workers’ daughters has been doubled from Rs200,000 to Rs400,000. Additionally, the death grant for the families of deceased workers has been raised from Rs700,000 to Rs1 million.
Centralized oversight committees have been formed to ensure transparency and effective monitoring of all board operations.
Senior labor leader Habibuddin Junaidi welcomed the move and expressed confidence that under Minister Ghani’s leadership, welfare initiatives would gain renewed momentum.