Confusion, chaos: Labour activists scuffle at kiln workers’ rally
BLLF accuses Labour Dept of instigating violence
The demonstration was held to highlight problems faced by kiln workers as a result of a strike by owners. PHOTO: ABID NAWAZ/EXPRESS
LAHORE:
A protest march called on Friday by the Bonded Labour Liberation Front (BLLF) against brick kiln owners went awry when a fight broke out between some BLLF and Labour Qaumi Movement (LQM) workers.
The rally was to be taken out from Charing Cross to Town Hall to highlight the problems faced by workers as a result of a strike by kiln owners following arrests of some kiln owners under the Child Labour Act. The Social Welfare Department had organised a seminar at Town Hall to raise awareness on problems faced by workers. BLLF general secretary Syeda Ghulam Fatima accused the Labour Department of instigating violence to divide workers and prevent them from launching a combined front for their rights.
She said Labour District Officer Syed Hasnat Javed had asked the organisers to disperse the workers saying that the march could not take place on The Mall because of security concerns in view of protests following Friday prayers against the execution of Mumtaz Qadri, the assassin of then governor Salmaan Tasser.
“We assured them that we would ensure that the workers dispersed before Friday prayers. We also invited them to talk to the workers. The DCO, too, was going to be at the seminar,” she said.
She said they had also allowed LQM workers to rally at Charing Cross. She accused some LQM workers of attacking her. “It came as a surprise. We have always been united in our struggle,” Fatima said.
She said Javed had earlier sent some of their workers to Lahore Press club, some to Nasser Bagh and some to Charing Cross. “They took me to the community development EDO’s office for talks. I believe this was a ploy to divide our numbers,” she said. Javed said the Social Welfare Department had invited NGOs working for labour rights to the seminar at Town Hall.
“The march was not part of the plan. The workers were asked to disperse due to the potentially violent protests feared after Friday prayers. We also persuaded kiln owners, who had wanted to take out a rally, to reschedule their protest,” he said.
“I am told the BLLF believes that I instigated the Labour Qaumi Movement. I had gone with their workers to the labour secretary’s office… I was just trying to calm both parties,” Javed said. He said the BLLF had invited a large number of workers to the seminar but the place did not have enough room to accommodate them.
The LQM leadership was not available for comment. Pakistan Bhatta Mazdoor Union general secretary Mehmood Butt said labour rights organisations should unite for the cause of workers. He said BLLF and LQM workers should not have clashed.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2016.
A protest march called on Friday by the Bonded Labour Liberation Front (BLLF) against brick kiln owners went awry when a fight broke out between some BLLF and Labour Qaumi Movement (LQM) workers.
The rally was to be taken out from Charing Cross to Town Hall to highlight the problems faced by workers as a result of a strike by kiln owners following arrests of some kiln owners under the Child Labour Act. The Social Welfare Department had organised a seminar at Town Hall to raise awareness on problems faced by workers. BLLF general secretary Syeda Ghulam Fatima accused the Labour Department of instigating violence to divide workers and prevent them from launching a combined front for their rights.
She said Labour District Officer Syed Hasnat Javed had asked the organisers to disperse the workers saying that the march could not take place on The Mall because of security concerns in view of protests following Friday prayers against the execution of Mumtaz Qadri, the assassin of then governor Salmaan Tasser.
“We assured them that we would ensure that the workers dispersed before Friday prayers. We also invited them to talk to the workers. The DCO, too, was going to be at the seminar,” she said.
She said they had also allowed LQM workers to rally at Charing Cross. She accused some LQM workers of attacking her. “It came as a surprise. We have always been united in our struggle,” Fatima said.
She said Javed had earlier sent some of their workers to Lahore Press club, some to Nasser Bagh and some to Charing Cross. “They took me to the community development EDO’s office for talks. I believe this was a ploy to divide our numbers,” she said. Javed said the Social Welfare Department had invited NGOs working for labour rights to the seminar at Town Hall.
“The march was not part of the plan. The workers were asked to disperse due to the potentially violent protests feared after Friday prayers. We also persuaded kiln owners, who had wanted to take out a rally, to reschedule their protest,” he said.
“I am told the BLLF believes that I instigated the Labour Qaumi Movement. I had gone with their workers to the labour secretary’s office… I was just trying to calm both parties,” Javed said. He said the BLLF had invited a large number of workers to the seminar but the place did not have enough room to accommodate them.
The LQM leadership was not available for comment. Pakistan Bhatta Mazdoor Union general secretary Mehmood Butt said labour rights organisations should unite for the cause of workers. He said BLLF and LQM workers should not have clashed.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2016.