District vigilance body to ensure labour rights

DC asks businesses not to hire teens

BAHAWALPUR:

A meeting of the District Vigilance Committee (DVC) for Forced Labour was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia at the committee room on Monday to address the issues of the working class and coerce law compliance by business owners.

While addressing the meeting, the deputy commissioner said that free health camps would be organised with the help of the Social Security Department to provide medical treatment to the underprivileged people working in the area who are housed in slums.

He warned the business owners to give stipend fixed by the government to the labourers or face consequences.

“White smoke should emit from the brick kilns [referring to use of zigzag technology] and the use of a blower should be ensured,” he stated.

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The deputy commissioner also said that no business is allowed to hire teenagers and in case of violations legal action will be taken against those responsible.

On the occasion, he also underscored the importance of plants in reducing air pollution and keeping the environment attractive.

“The citizens should plant trees and shrubs around their houses and workplaces to reduce heat buildup and soil infertility,” he pointed out.

Director Labour Chaudhry Muhammad Amin, Assistant Director Environment Ansar Abbas, Officer Mohammad Afzal, CEO Literacy Zahid Tanveer, President Al-Fatah Development Organization Jamshed Karim Khan, General Secretary District Bar Association Chaudhry Aftab Mubarak and other members were present during the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2021.