National Assembly Introduces Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) (Repeal) Act 2026

Pakistan’s National Assembly has introduced the Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) (Repeal) Act, 2026 to repeal the Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1974, abolish the existing Karachi Dock Labour Board framework, provide compensation to affected employees and registered dock workers, and transfer the Board’s assets and liabilities to the Karachi Port Trust.

The legislation seeks to remove the outdated legal framework governing dock workers through the Karachi Dock Labour Board and facilitate the restructuring of its functions in line with changes in Pakistan’s port sector.

What Changed Under the New Law?

Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1974 Repealed

The Act repeals the Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1974 (IX of 1974).

The repeal also applies to:

• Karachi Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Scheme, 1973
• All notifications issued under the scheme
• All orders issued under the scheme

The law comes into force immediately.

Karachi Dock Labour Board Employees and Workers to Cease Existing Status

Following the repeal, all employees and registered dock workers of the Karachi Dock Labour Board will cease to be employees or registered dock workers of the Board.

The affected employees and registered dock workers will be entitled to compensation as may be approved by the Federal Government.

Assets and Liabilities Transferred to Karachi Port Trust

The legislation provides for the transfer of all assets and properties of the Karachi Dock Labour Board to the Karachi Port Trust.

The transfer covers:

• Movable and immovable assets
• Properties and related interests
• Rights arising from such assets and properties
• Liabilities of the Board

The measure is intended to ensure continuity in the administration and management of the assets and obligations previously held by the Board.

Existing Rights and Proceedings Protected

The Act includes savings provisions to protect legal and administrative matters arising under the repealed law.

These provisions cover:

• Acquired rights and privileges
• Existing obligations and liabilities
• Actions already taken
• Investigations and proceedings already commenced
• Orders, rules and regulations
• Appointments and documents
• Agreements and resolutions
• Directions and other proceedings
• Instruments issued or executed under the repealed law

The provision is intended to preserve legal continuity and avoid uncertainty following the repeal.

Why Was the Law Introduced?

According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons, the Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1974 had provided the legal framework for regulating dock workers through the Karachi Dock Labour Board.

However, significant changes in the operational, administrative and commercial environment of Pakistan’s ports have taken place over the years, resulting in the existing statutory framework no longer serving the requirements of a modern and efficient port sector.

What Does the Repeal Aim to Achieve?

The legislation seeks to:

• Repeal the obsolete Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1974
• Repeal the Karachi Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Scheme, 1973
• End the existing statutory framework of the Karachi Dock Labour Board
• Provide compensation to affected employees and registered dock workers
• Transfer the Board’s assets and liabilities to Karachi Port Trust
• Facilitate restructuring of the Board’s functions
• Ensure orderly transfer of assets and obligations
• Safeguard existing rights and liabilities
• Preserve ongoing proceedings and actions taken under the repealed law

Impact on Karachi Dock Labour Board

With the repeal of the existing law, the Karachi Dock Labour Board’s employees and registered dock workers will no longer retain their existing status under the Board.

At the same time, the transfer of the Board’s assets, properties, rights, interests and liabilities to Karachi Port Trust is intended to ensure continuity in the administration and management of these matters.

Key Provisions of the Act

• The Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1974 is repealed
• The Karachi Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Scheme, 1973 is repealed
• Related notifications and orders are also repealed
• Karachi Dock Labour Board employees and registered dock workers cease their existing status
• Affected employees and workers are entitled to compensation approved by the Federal Government
• All assets and properties of the Board are transferred to Karachi Port Trust
• The Board’s liabilities are also transferred
• Existing rights, obligations, proceedings and actions are protected through savings provisions
• The Act comes into force immediately

Pakistan’s National Assembly has introduced the Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) (Repeal) Act, 2026 to repeal the outdated legal framework governing the Karachi Dock Labour Board, provide compensation to affected workers and employees, transfer the Board’s assets and liabilities to Karachi Port Trust, and ensure an orderly transition while safeguarding existing legal rights and obligations.