Labourers are the backbone of our industry: Haji Ehsaan-ud-Din

Lahore: Minister Labour Punjab Haji Ehsaan-ud-Din Qureshi has said that labourers are the backbone of our industry and every effort is being made by the government to upgrade the socio-economic status of the labourers. He 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.

While talking to various delegations of labourers, Haji Ehsaan-ud-Din Qureshi 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 maintained that free education including books, stationery, transport and uniform are also being provided to 28 thousand children of workers in 49 workers welfare schools of the province. Welfare Board is bearing all educational expenses of the children of workers in those six districts of the Punjab where workers welfare schools are not existed, he concluded.