ISLAMABAD: The devolution of the Ministry of Labour and Manpower turns into new headache for the Implementation Commission on 18th amendment, as the federal government has refused to transfer the worker welfare fund to the provincial governments and suggested the bifurcation of the Ministry into two.

Meeting of the Implementation Commission on 18th amendment held here Wednesday with Mian Raza Rabbani in the chair. In the meeting, the federal government suggested the bifurcation of Ministry of Labour and Manpower into two with Labour Division to be transferred to the provinces while the Manpower Division as well as Immigration Division to be left with the federal government.

The Ministry of Labour and Manpower and Ministry of Health gave the detailed briefing on their affairs in the meeting.

Sources said Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Shah, who was heading the Ministry of Labour and Manpower before Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain who was given the portfolio of the Minister for Labour and Manpower two days back, gave the briefing to the commission and opposed the devolution of the ministry in totality.

Sources said Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain asked Syed Khursheed Shah to brief the Implementation Commission as he was given the portfolio of Minister of Labour and Manpower two days back and was not privy to the affairs of the meeting. Sources said Syed Khursheed Shah also opposed the transfer of worker welfare funds to the provinces.
Source: The News
Date:5/19/2011