Legal Case Summary

Case Details
Case ID 2255366a-81fa-40ac-9a65-2272bc0353b1
Body View case body.
Case Number Civil Appeals Nos. 1340 to 1342 of 1996
Decision Date Apr 11, 2001
Hearing Date
Decision The Supreme Court of Pakistan dismissed the appeals, affirming that the appellants, who were employed as casual workers on a temporary project, were not entitled to be considered permanent workers under the relevant laws. The court held that their services could be terminated upon completion of the project, and that the classification of workers did not provide for daily wagers to claim permanent employment rights. The court also noted that the delays in pursuing remedies were rightly condoned by the Labour Appellate Tribunal and that the High Court had no jurisdiction to interfere with these findings of fact.
Summary This case discusses the rights of casual workers under the West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968 and the Industrial Relations Ordinance, 1969. The Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled on the nature of employment, particularly focusing on whether casual workers can claim permanent status based on the duration of their employment. The court emphasized that the nature of the work, rather than the length of service, determines the classification of workers as permanent or temporary. This case is significant for labor law practitioners and workers' rights advocates, as it clarifies the legal standing of daily wage workers in Pakistan and sets a precedent for future disputes regarding employment status and rights. Keywords: labor law, employment rights, casual workers, permanent workers, Pakistan, Supreme Court.
Court Supreme Court of Pakistan
Entities Involved Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited
Judges IFTIKHAR MUHAMMAD CHAUDHRY, HAMID ALI MIRZA
Lawyers Muhammad Munir Peracha, Advocate Supreme Court, Muhammad Aslam Ch., Advocate on Record
Petitioners another, ABDUL SATTAR
Respondents others, SUI NORTHERN GAS PIPELINES LIMITED
Citations 2001 SLD 2232 = 2001 PLC 583
Other Citations Pakistan International Airlines v. Sindh Labour Court No.5 and others PLD 1980 SC 323, Muhammad Yaqoob v. The Punjab Labour Court No. 1 and 5 others 1990 SCMR 1539, Executive Engineer, Central Civil. Division, Pak. P:W.D., Quetta v. Abdul Aziz and others PLD 1996 SC 610, Izhar Ahmed Khan and another v. Punjab Labour Appellate Tribunal, Lahore and others 1999 SCMR 2557, WAPDA v. Kanimullah and others 2000 SCMR 879
Laws Involved West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968, Industrial Relations Ordinance, 1969, Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, Limitation Act, 1908
Sections 12(3), 25 A, 185(3), 5