Rawalpindi: Punjab Employees Social Security Institution (PESSI) Commissioner Syed Bilal Haider along with his team visited the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).

Director Raza Ahmed, President Chamber Muhammad Nasir Mirza, Senior Vice President Osman Ashraf, former President Saboor Malik, executive committee members and chamber members were also present on the occasion.

The Commissioner briefed the business community and chamber members in detail on the important steps taken by PESSI regarding registration and welfare of workers.

The Commissioner PESSI announced the formation of an advisory council in which the business community would be represented so that they could be taken on board for policy making and measures on the welfare and registration of workers.

A help desk will be set up in the Chamber of Commerce for the convenience of the members. An amnesty scheme is also being introduced in which factory owners will be given a 50 per cent discount. Inspectors will not raid any factory in the future. An online payment system has been set up. Self-assessment and registration will be inspected once in five years.  Fourteen different types of facilities and services are being provided to the workers. Death grant has been increased to 600,000 and marriage grant to 300,000. The referral systems for medical treatment being eliminated.

Scholarships will be paid directly into the account. Certificates and events will be held to encourage employers who deposit more and regularly. The Commissioner appreciated the rainwater harvesting and recharge system installed by the Rawalpindi Chamber and also agreed to replicate the same at PESSI building in Rawalpindi.

He appreciated the efforts of the Chamber for the promotion of business activities. On this occasion, the President of the Chamber Nasir Mirza briefed the Commissioner on the ongoing activities of the Chamber. He said that Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology should be included in the panel of PESSI. He welcomed the announcement of the amnesty scheme and said that the chamber would extend all possible support to the awareness campaign in this regard.