Govt is committed to eliminate child labour in the province: Zaeem Qadri

Lahore: Spokesman Punjab government Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri has said that elimination of child labour and provision of free education to the children of kiln labourers is mission of the government. He said that Punjab government will ensure implementation of Ordinance 2016 prohibiting child labour at brick kilns and the education to the children of kiln labourers will be ensured in government schools during next three months. He advised kiln owners that being a patriotic Pakistanis, they should help Punjab government in raising the living standard of kiln labourers through education and eliminating child labour instead of going on strikes.

He expressed these views while talking to media during a press conference along with Secretary Labour Ali Sarfaraz at DGPR, today.

Zaeem Qadri said that Punjab government had taken the kiln association into confidence about Child Labour Ordinance, after it there is no justification of strike. He said that five hundred cases of child labour were reported at 2517 brick kilns and FIRs registered against 498 brick kiln owners, 472 brick kiln owners were arrested while 201 brick kilns have been sealed.

Zaeem Qadri said that on the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, indiscriminate action should be taken for eliminating the manse of child labour at all brick kilns throughout the province and no leniency should be shown to anyone. That is why, teams comprising DCOs, DPOs, Assistants Commissioners and other members of the institutions are checking brick kilns daily and on violation, strict legal action is being taken against the persons responsible and the owners of brick kilns.

Zaeem Qadri said that under the ordinance, sealing of brick kiln, fine of 50 thousands to five lakh rupees and six months imprisonment can be awarded. He told that Labour & Human Resource Department has set up Help line 0800-55444 for registering complaints of child labour at brick kiln and strict action is being taken. He said that any citizen can register complaint about child labour against brick kilns.

Zaeem Qadri said that Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has announced special package for children of kiln labourers for enrollment in schools under which free education, books, notebooks, uniform and stipend of one thousand rupees per month per child will be given while rupees two thousands will be given to the parents from next academic session.

He said that a law of prohibiting six months’ salary in advance and contract job in writing at brick kilns has been introduced. He said that the number of children aging five years to 14 years not going to schools was 23642 at 6090 brick kilns, out of which, 22368 children have been provided admission in the schools nearest to kilns by Labour Department  with the cooperation of Literacy, School Education, Local Government and other institutions.

He said that the kiln labourers and owners had been informed about the ordinance prohibiting child labour at brick kilns through advertisements and seminars. He said that after success of this campaign, its scope will be extended to the domestic employees and the children working at other places.