Step-by-Step: How to File a Wage Complaint in Karachi

Locked out of your pay? A practical Karachi-first guide to filing a wage complaint in 2026

Hook: If you’re staring at unpaid salary, missing overtime pay, or an employer who ignores repeated requests, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to wait months confused about what to do. This step-by-step guide shows how to collect evidence, file with the right labour office in Karachi, use NGO and legal support, and follow timelines so you move from complaint to resolution with purpose.

The big picture — why this matters in 2026

Across 2025–2026 governments and labour regulators globally stepped up enforcement of wage rules, and employers are under growing pressure to produce digital payroll records and answer audits. Even outside Pakistan, recent enforcement examples — like a U.S. Department of Labor case in December 2025 that ordered back wages for off‑the‑clock overtime — show labour claims can succeed when records are solid and complaints are pursued strategically.

In Karachi in 2026 you will see three related trends that help employees: increased digital documentation (payslips, WhatsApp records, mobile banking), more civil-society groups offering legal aid and paralegal help for wage claims, and faster administrative handling where provincial labour departments pilot e‑filing or phone-based intake. This guide translates those trends into a practical playbook you can use right away.

Overview: Your step-by-step path

1. Gather evidence (immediately)
2. Send a clear written demand to your employer
3. If no response, lodge a formal complaint with the appropriate labour office or inspector
4. Use NGO/legal aid support to prepare a case and represent you at conciliation/hearing
5. If administrative closure fails, pursue labour court/tribunal or Federal Ombudsman routes
6. Keep realistic timeline expectations and escalate if stalled

Step 1 — Collect the documents and evidence that win cases

Before you file anything, gather everything that proves hours worked, agreed wages, and attempts to resolve the matter privately. Start with:

• Identity documents: CNIC copy and any employment card or letter.
• Contract or appointment letter: shows agreed salary, hours, benefits.
• Payslips and bank statements: salary deposits, gaps, partial payments.
• Attendance records: signed timesheets, biometric records, or rota screenshots.
• Communications: WhatsApp/SMS/email threads where pay, hours or overtime were discussed — take screenshots and preserve originals.
• Witness statements: short signed statements from co-workers who can confirm hours or unpaid time.
• Expense proofs: travel passes or receipts if travel time is part of claims.

Tip: Create a single PDF or zipped folder with labelled files (e.g., 01_Appointment.pdf, 02_Payslip_Jan2026.pdf). That helps labour inspectors, NGOs, and lawyers review quickly.

Step 2 — Send a formal demand letter to your employer (template included)

Always start with a written demand — it’s cheap, quick, and often triggers a settlement. Send it by email and by registered courier or WhatsApp where delivery receipts exist. Keep copies.

Demand letter template (copy, edit, send)

Subject: Demand for unpaid wages / overtime — [Your Name], Employee ID [if any]

[Date]

To: [Manager / HR Name]

Company: [Company Name]

Address: [Company Address]

Dear [Name],

I write to request payment of unpaid wages and overtime owed to me for the period [start date] to [end date]. Based on my contract and recorded hours (attached), the outstanding amount is PKR [amount].

Attached documents: appointment letter, payslips, attendance records, bank statements, and communication logs.

Please remit the full amount to my bank account [account details] or contact me on [phone/email] to arrange payment within 7 working days. If we cannot resolve this internally I will file a formal complaint with the Sindh labour authorities and seek legal redress.

Regards,

[Your full name] — CNIC: [xxxxx-xxxxxxx-x]

[Phone] | [Email] | [Address]

Step 3 — Where to file in Karachi: understanding local options

In Karachi you have a few practical channels to file a wage complaint. Pick the best based on employer size and sector (factory, shop, office, or domestic worker):

• Provincial Labour Inspector / District Labour Office (Sindh): primary administrative body for workplace disputes, inspections and conciliation. They register complaints and often arrange conciliation meetings.
• Industrial Relations / Labour Tribunal: if conciliation fails you can take the matter to the labour court or tribunal for adjudication — this is a formal legal route.
• Federal Ombudsman (Mohtasib): for maladministration or where a government-regulated entity is involved.
• NGOs and legal aid: provide free or low-cost representation, documentation help, and accompaniment to offices and hearings.

How to locate the exact office and current contact details: visit the Government of Sindh portal (sindh.gov.pk) and search for Labour, or search the Sindh Labour Department page. Many offices now accept an initial complaint by email or WhatsApp; confirm hours and required forms before visiting.

Step 4 — Formal complaint: what to submit and how it proceeds

When you go to the labour office you will normally be asked to complete a complaint form (many offices now accept a signed letter). Provide:

• A copy of your CNIC
• The signed complaint/demand letter you sent to the employer
• Key supporting documents (contract, payslips, attendance, witness statements)
• A short written timeline of events

What happens next:

1. The office will register your complaint and give you a registration number or acknowledgement.
2. The inspector will usually notify the employer and call for a conciliation meeting (this is a chance to settle without litigation).
3. If conciliation fails, the inspector issues a report and you can seek adjudication through the labour tribunal or court.

Step 5 — Typical timelines (what to expect in Karachi)

Timelines vary by case complexity, employer cooperation, and backlog. These are realistic ranges for Karachi in 2026:

• Acknowledgement of complaint: same day to 7 working days
• First conciliation meeting: within 2–6 weeks
• Administrative investigation & report: 1–3 months (longer for complex factories)
• If conciliation fails — labour tribunal hearing: 3–12 months from filing, depending on backlog and representation
• Enforcement and recovery: payment after order can take weeks to months; in some cases court-ordered recovery requires additional enforcement actions

Important: If your employer uses delay tactics, ask the labour inspector to record attempts and consider involving an NGO or a lawyer to accelerate the hearing schedule.

Step 6 — How overtime is typically calculated (practical method)

Legal overtime rates vary by law and contract. If you don’t have a firm legal number at hand, use this transparent calculation method to document your claim and ask the labour office to verify:

1. Calculate your regular hourly rate: monthly gross salary ÷ agreed monthly hours (or ÷ 208 for a standard 40–48 hour month if contract is silent).
2. Determine overtime rate claimed (commonly 1.5× regular rate in many jurisdictions, but always confirm provincial rules or your contract).
3. Multiply overtime rate by overtime hours worked for the claimed period.

Example: Monthly salary PKR 40,000; agreed hours 208/month → hourly rate ≈ PKR 192.31. If overtime rate is 1.5×, then overtime hourly rate ≈ PKR 288.47. For 20 overtime hours owed → PKR 5,769.40.

Note: Labour offices or a lawyer will confirm the legally applicable overtime multiplier for your workplace.

Step 7 — NGO and legal aid support in Karachi

Several civil-society organisations and legal-aid groups in Pakistan and Karachi help with worker complaints. Use NGO help to prepare your documentation, get witness statements formalised, and for representation at hearings. When contacting NGOs, ask if they provide:

• Paralegal assistance to prepare a complaint
• Accompaniment to the labour office or tribunal
• Legal clinics or referrals to pro bono lawyers
• Support for vulnerable workers (domestic workers, contract labour, gig workers)

How to find them: search for “labour rights NGO Karachi”, check national bodies such as the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, and look up local legal aid clinics run by law schools or bar associations. Always verify current contact details on the organisation’s official website or social channels before attending.

Sample Labour Office complaint letter (use when you file)

To: The Inspector / District Labour Officer

Office: [District Labour Office — Karachi]

Date: [Date]

Subject: Formal complaint for unpaid wages and overtime — [Your Name]

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am an employee of [Company Name, Address] and worked from [start date] to [end date/ongoing]. Despite repeated requests, the employer has failed to pay outstanding wages/overtime totaling PKR [amount]. Attached are copies of my contract, payslips, attendance, bank statements and the demand letter sent to the employer dated [date].

I request your office to register a formal complaint, notify the employer, and arrange a conciliation meeting. I am available at [phone/email] and request a registration number for reference.

Regards,

[Your Name] — CNIC [xxxxx-xxxxxxx-x]

Tips for success — how to make inspectors and tribunals work for you

• Be organised: numbered exhibits and a short cover sheet make it easy to review your claim.
• Bring witnesses: co-worker testimony counts — get short signed statements with contact numbers.
• Use bank records: show partial payments, delays, or unexplained deductions clearly.
• Keep copies: every submission to the labour office should be photocopied and stamped with the receipt/acknowledgement.
• Escalate in writing: if the inspector stalls, file a written request for prioritisation and loop in an NGO or local assembly member if necessary.
• Preserve digital evidence: WhatsApp chats, emails and electronic rosters are admissible — take screenshots with timestamps and back them up.

When to get a lawyer — and how to keep costs down

Consider hiring a lawyer if:

• The claimed amount is large (several months’ wages)
• The employer is contesting key facts (e.g., they deny you worked the hours)
• There is a risk of termination, blacklisting, or retaliatory action

To reduce cost: engage pro bono clinics, sign contingency fee agreements where permitted, or use limited-scope services (lawyer drafts petition but you represent in hearing). Many NGOs can refer experienced labour lawyers in Karachi who provide affordable or deferred-fee work.

What if your employer retaliates?

Retaliation for filing a wage complaint (termination, harassment, threats) should be documented and reported immediately. Keep copies of any termination letter, threats, or changes to working conditions. File a separate complaint for unfair labour practices with the labour office and seek urgent intervention. If you fear for your safety, involve local police and NGOs that support workers’ safety.

Case study — how good documentation won wages (summary of best practice)

Across jurisdictions, enforcement agencies favour claimants who bring clear digital records. For example, in a late‑2025 U.S. case a group of case managers recovered back wages after a labour division investigation found unrecorded off‑the‑clock hours. The lesson for Karachi: consistent, time-stamped records and an organized claim increase the chance of administrative or legal victory.

Where to get help in Karachi — practical contact strategy

Start with the provincial labour office (search “Sindh Labour Department” on the Government of Sindh website). If the employer is a government-linked entity or your complaint involves public administration, consider contacting the Federal Ombudsman (Mohtasib) through their official portal.

Next, contact civil society and legal aid organisations for on-the-ground support. When you reach out, provide the registration number of your labour complaint (if you filed already) and a short one-page timeline of unpaid wages. If you aren’t sure which NGO to call, search for “labour rights Karachi legal aid” and check for recent activity and contact verification on social platforms.

Final checklist before you file

• Demand letter sent and proof of delivery saved
• All evidence assembled and labelled
• Witness statements prepared
• Copies of CNIC and contact details ready
• Plan for escalation (which office/NGO/lawyer)

Parting advice and next steps

Wage disputes are about persistence and paperwork — not only emotion. Use the momentum of 2026’s stronger documentation practices: save bank receipts, ask HR for electronic payslips, and keep clear logs of hours. File a clear written demand, then use the labour office for conciliation. If necessary, escalate with NGO and legal support.

Call to action: Start today: assemble your evidence, send the demand letter (use the template above), and visit your nearest Sindh labour office to register the complaint. If you want help preparing documents, reach out to a local NGO or legal clinic — and if you’d like a printable version of the templates in Urdu and English, comment or contact us through our Karachi portal to request one.

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