One Hires, Another Fires: 29 Karachi Workers Lose Jobs, Seek Justice
KARACHI: The termination of 29 daily-wage employees by the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) has triggered concerns over the treatment of vulnerable workers, with the affected employees alleging that the dismissals were influenced by administrative bias rather than merit.
According to an official order issued by the SSWMB on July 27, 2026, the services of 29 daily-wage workers will stand discontinued after office hours on July 31, 2026. The order states that the decision was made following the recommendations of a committee established to verify records and assess daily-wage employees, with approval from the competent authority.
However, the affected workers have challenged the decision, claiming their dismissals were not linked to performance but to their perceived association with the administration of former Managing Director Tariq Ali Nizamani, who left office on July 6, 2026, following a notification issued by the Chief Secretary of Sindh.
The employees maintain that many of those dismissed had consistently performed their duties without receiving any adverse performance reports. They argue that their professional record and dedication were well known within the organization and question why employees with satisfactory service histories were selected for removal.
The development has also reignited concerns regarding transparency and fairness in public-sector employment practices. Labour rights advocates emphasize that employment decisions should be based on documented performance, objective evaluation, and equal treatment rather than perceived affiliations with previous administrations.
The terminated employees have appealed to SSWMB Chairman Barrister Murtaza Wahab to review the committee’s recommendations and reassess the circumstances surrounding their dismissal. They have requested an impartial inquiry and urged the authorities to provide relief to any worker found to have been removed without fair and objective justification.
The case is expected to attract attention from labour rights organizations and civil society groups, as it raises broader questions about due process, accountability, and the protection of financially vulnerable workers employed on daily wages.
