Bonded labour: ‘Mass protests will be staged to press for rights in 2014’
Labour laws not being enforced, says Labour Qaumi Movement leader.
A file photo of a brick kiln worker. PHOTO: FILE
FAISALABAD:
Scores of labourers on Saturday staged a protest demonstration in front of the Labour Department’s office to press their demand for wage raise.
Addressing the protestors, Labour Qaumi Movement (LQM) Central Secretary General Aslam Meraj declared 2014 the year for protecting labour rights.
“The LQM and other labour unions will take to the streets for the protection of labour rights,” he said.
“The industrialists are exploiting the labourers… they are not enforcing labour laws.”
He said several meetings had been held between brick kiln workers and the mill owners. “They always agree to enforce labour laws… but do not fulfill their commitment.”
He said all workers should be paid fair wages, have health insurance, and get death grants, marriage grants and educational facilities.
“None of this is happening. The kiln workers have no choice but to press their demands by staging protest rallies.”
Meraj said the LQM would stand by kiln workers.
He said the children of kiln workers were not allowed to attend schools. “They [workers] also do not have access to doctors, clean water, and bathrooms.”
The Labour Qaumi Movement central secretary general said majority of the workers were being recruited on daily basis or on contracts.
The protestors chanted slogans to voice their demands and vowed to continue their protests till their demands were met.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2013.
Scores of labourers on Saturday staged a protest demonstration in front of the Labour Department’s office to press their demand for wage raise.
Addressing the protestors, Labour Qaumi Movement (LQM) Central Secretary General Aslam Meraj declared 2014 the year for protecting labour rights.
“The LQM and other labour unions will take to the streets for the protection of labour rights,” he said.
“The industrialists are exploiting the labourers… they are not enforcing labour laws.”
He said several meetings had been held between brick kiln workers and the mill owners. “They always agree to enforce labour laws… but do not fulfill their commitment.”
He said all workers should be paid fair wages, have health insurance, and get death grants, marriage grants and educational facilities.
“None of this is happening. The kiln workers have no choice but to press their demands by staging protest rallies.”
Meraj said the LQM would stand by kiln workers.
He said the children of kiln workers were not allowed to attend schools. “They [workers] also do not have access to doctors, clean water, and bathrooms.”
The Labour Qaumi Movement central secretary general said majority of the workers were being recruited on daily basis or on contracts.
The protestors chanted slogans to voice their demands and vowed to continue their protests till their demands were met.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2013.