Using art for social change

Exhibit marks anniversary of SC ruling that outlawed bonded labour

LAHORE: Hundreds of photographs and paintings depicting the plight of bonded labour in Pakistan line the walls of Al Hamra Art Gallery. These paintings and photographs have been put up by the Bonded Labour Liberation Front Pakistan (BLLF) in a two-day exhibition which commenced on Friday.

Photographs taken by Brandon Staton, the photographer behind Humans of New York, were included in the exhibit. An illustration depicting BLLF general secretary Syeda Ghulam Fatima produced by British illustrator Aimee Sicora was also exhibited.

The event was inaugurated by Justice (r) Muhammad Shahid Sadique.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Fatima said the exhibition had been planned for September 18 to mark the 27th anniversary of a 1988 Supreme Court ruling which outlawed bonded labour.

She said under the verdict, the government was directed to enact legislation to safeguard rights of workers.

She said the Bonded Labour (Abolition) System Act was passed in 1992.

“Though legislation was adopted to protect workers, no steps were taken to implement it,” she said.

She said the BLLF, through exhibit, wanted to urge lawmakers to ensure implementation of labour laws.

Mahar Safdar Ali of the BLLF said the initiative had been taken to direct public attention to the plight of workers. “Several artists, including myself, have worked with kiln workers,” he said.

He said the theme of his artwork was bricks, books and birds. “My art promotes education for workers.”

Michael Masih, a kiln worker, said he made Rs500 to Rs700 every day. “We work from dawn till dusk. We make bricks from scratch,” he said. “This exhibition shows the abuse perpetuated by wealthy kiln owners who operate with impunity.”

“I like this exhibition. It shows our work and how we do it,” said Louisa Bibi, another kiln worker.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2015.