We don’t bear bonded labour:Haji Ehsan ud Din

Lahore: Punjab Labor Minister Haji Ehsaan-ud-Din Qureshi has said that labour department has provided Rs.75million interest free micro credit among brick kilns workers in two districts for the elimination of bonded labour, child labour, exploitation of brick kiln workers. He said that 200 non-formal education centers are providing 7000students at brick kilns in Lahore and Kasur districts whereas about 5700 workers were facilitated to acquire CNICs. He told that veterinary staff visited 154 brick kilns and provided treatment to 448 animals of brick kiln labourers. He said that the department organized health camps at brick kilns and free of cost treatment was provided to 1300 labourers.

He expressed these views while addressing also addressed on the occasion besides others. The Minister also inaugurated exhibition on bonded labour Paintings.

Meanwhile, presiding over a meeting of committee on Health Hazards Works in Stone Crushing Machine on Lahore-Sheikhupura Road, Haji Ehsaan-ud-Din Qureshi said that the timely payment of minimum wages i.e. Rs. 9000/- per month, by the employers, would be ensured. He said that present government has also increased the marriage grant from Rs 70,000/- Rs.100,000/- of the labourer’s daughters and female worker as well. He said that death grant has also been increased from Rs.300,000/- to Rs.500,000/- on the death of an industrial worker. The committee suggested measures for the compensation, environmental working condition and health issues of the concerned labourers. The meeting was attended by MPA Dr. Asma Mamdot, Secretary Labour Hassan Iqbal, DG EPA Mehr Maqsood Ahmed, officials of Finance, Health, Industries and other concerned departments.