Alerts Sign-up
For many years, clerical and non-clerical workers in Pakistan's banking sector were not recognized as official employees. They were categorized as contract workers through third-party service providers, often owned by the banks themselves. Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), a major bank for agriculture and rural development, followed this practice until December 2, 2022, when the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC) ordered ZTBL to recognize these workers as permanent employees.
The ZTBL Union played a crucial role in advocating for these legally marginalized workers. Despite winning the case, progress was initially slow due to resistance from ZTBL management. It took two more years of negotiation before ZTBL officially recognized 24 workers as permanent employees on April 24, 2025. The bank also agreed to regularize their employment based on their actual join date rather than the court order date.
"This decision not only ensures justice but also protects the workers’ rightful seniority and associated benefits," stated Malik Muhammad Ismail, General Secretary of ZTBL Union.
