Fundamental Rights: Labour laws enforcement ordered

FAISALABAD: Commissioner Sardar Akram Javaid said on Friday problems of kiln workers would be resolved on priority. Chairing a meeting of District Vigilance Committee, the commissioner directed the Labour Department to implement the Supreme Court’s verdict on payment of fair wages to kiln workers. The commissioner was told kiln workers were not paid the minimum wage and had no social security. He was told kiln owners exploited their workers. They held back workers’ salaries and usurp their basic rights, Javaid was told. The commissioner ordered action against kiln workers who had been violating labour laws. “They should be issued social security cards immediately.” The commissioner said Labour Department officials would regularly visit kilns and resolve workers’ problems. He said resolution of the problems of kiln workers was important to the government and that the government was aware of their problems. He urged them to come forward with their complaints, assuring them that their problems would be addressed as soon as possible.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2014.