Rally: Brick kiln workers demand fair wage

Participants say according to Punjab Gazette 2013, should be paid at least Rs740 for 1,000 bricks, paid only Rs450-500

MULTAN:

More than 1,500 brick kiln workers and civil society members on Monday took out a protest rally to demand the implementation of minimum wages specified in the Punjab Gazette 2013. The rally was organised by 20 brick kiln workers associations and the Justice and Peace Commission.

The participants said according to the Punjab Gazette 2013, a brick kiln worker should be paid at least Rs740 for 1,000 bricks, whereas they were paid only Rs450-500 for 1,000 bricks. The participants said the district vigilance committees should take strict action to ensure the implementation of minimum wages for brick kiln workers. “The government does not check whether we receive fair payment,” said Azaad Bhatta Mazdoor Union president Rani Bibi. Saleband Brick Kiln Workers Union general secretary Ghulam Yaseen said the government prefers to keep mum on the matter because its members receive kickbacks from kiln owners. The participants said the district vigilance committees had been constituted to monitor the state of labourers, especially those employed in brick kilns, and take necessary steps to eradicate bonded labour.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2014.