KP Orders Minimum Wage For Water and Sanitation Services Workers

Muzzammil Aslam, advisor to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister on finance, has ordered all seven Water and Sanitation Services Companies operating within the province to pay employees the recently announced minimum wage. This directive was issued during a meeting chaired by Muzzammil at the Finance Department’s committee room on Friday.

The meeting's agenda encompassed the administrative and financial status of the companies, cost reduction measures, employee wage structures, audit reports, billing systems, and challenges facing drainage and sewerage systems.

Muzzammil emphasized that all contingent employees working for Water and Sanitation Services Companies should receive the provincial government's newly announced minimum wage, irrespective of circumstances. He assured that the additional funds required post-wage hike would be provided by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Department. However, he stressed that the companies must exercise financial discipline and control expenses.

Specific directives were given to the Water and Sanitation Services Companies in Kohat and Swat to promptly reduce wasteful expenditures. Appreciation was expressed for the Peshawar company's efforts in managing its spending. The meeting further decided that the companies would implement separate billing services for commercial activities, with the billing systems of all companies to be transitioned to an online format immediately.

Muzzammil highlighted that online billing would enhance transparency, improve efficiency, and minimize expenses related to manpower and stationery. He also directed action against encroachments affecting drainage systems. Coordinated efforts were recommended between district administrations and tehsil municipal officers to ensure that urban drainage systems function effectively and operate smoothly.