Employment / Service Law

Employment and service law in Pakistan

Private employment in Pakistan is governed by a mix of federal and provincial statutes, including the Industrial Relations Act 2012, the Punjab and Sindh Industrial Relations Acts, the Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance 1968 and its provincial versions, the Payment of Wages Act 1936, and social security and old-age benefit laws. Government employees are governed by service rules and appeal to the federal and provincial Service Tribunals.

Mehr And Iqbal advises employers on compliance and represents both employers and employees in disputes before the Labour Courts, Labour Appellate Tribunals, the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC) and the Service Tribunals.

For employers: contracts, policies and compliance

We draft employment and service contracts, executive agreements, HR policy handbooks and codes of conduct that comply with Pakistani law, advise on disciplinary procedures, terminations and retrenchments, and handle registration and compliance with EOBI, social security institutions and the Workers' Welfare Fund. Good documents prevent most disputes, and where a dispute arises they decide it.

For employees and executives

We represent employees and senior executives in wrongful termination, unpaid wages and benefits, harassment and discrimination complaints, and the enforcement of employment contracts and non-compete terms. Our team has particular experience before the Labour Courts, NIRC and the Commissioner for Workmen's Compensation.

Industrial relations and service tribunal matters

Collective disputes, trade union registration and recognition, unfair labour practices and industrial action are handled before the NIRC and provincial labour forums. For public servants we pursue appeals against adverse orders, promotions, seniority and disciplinary action before the Punjab, Sindh and Federal Service Tribunals and, on constitutional questions, the High Courts.