To commemorate the decision against ’peshgi’ (bonded) labour system by Supreme Court of Pakistan on 18th September 1988, Pakistan Bhatta Mazdoor Union and Action Aid Pakistan jointly organized a dialogue on Bonded Labour at Hotel Carlton in Lahore on 23rd September, 2008.
More than 50 representatives of trade unions and bhatta workers’ groups from different districts of Punjab participated in the dialogue. Government officials from the Labour Department were also invited to this dialogue; two directors, one senior law officer and one deputy district labour officer also participated. The minister for labour Punjab and secretary labour were also invited but they did not attend.
Main features of the discussion were as under:
– Even though brick kilns have been declared as industry and these are bound to be registered under the Factories Act 1934, very few of these have been registered. More than 90% brick kilns are not registered with the labour departments in the districts. Labour department is also responsible for not performing its job properly.
– Labour Inspectors were stopped to visit for examination of any work place in Punjab by an executive order by the previous chief minister. This order resulted in severe misconduct on the part of employers and workers are paying the price. Working conditions have deteriorated in the last few years, bonded labour has been on the rise and there was no implementation of the minimum wages at majority of the work places.
– Rates fixed in the minimum wage gazette are not implemented anywhere in Pakistan in the brick kiln industry. Still the peshgis are being deducted from the wages of workers. Different rates are prevailing in different districts which range from Rs. 200 to 275 for 1000 bricks as compared to Rs. 442 per 1000 bricks notified on 30th August, 2008 by the labour department. It was suggested that bhatta workers should be hired on monthly wages and not on piece work rates.
– It is impossible to register themselves as citizens of Pakistan for the bhatta worker under the prevailing system to get National Identity Cards. Majority of the workers have no ID cards. Efforts have been made in some areas by sending mobile teams of the NADRA but there is need to devise a separate criterion for bhatta workers to get ID cards.
– Women bhatta workers face sexual violence besides being subjected to bonded labour.
– Whole family of bhatta workers is involved in the work therefore there is lot of child labour in this industry. There is no education facility for the children at brick kilns as these are situated far from the cities.
– Role of the police in cases against bonded labour was also criticized by the participants. Police register false cases against the workers in conspiracy by the owners against those workers who refuse to pay peshgis. Need was stressed to train police, district management and labour department officials for the proper implementation of Bonded Labour Abolition Act 1992.
– Director of Center for Improvement of Working Conditions, Labour Department Punjab Mr. Saeed Awan mentioned some measures being taken by the government to prevent bonded labour.
Following conclusions were agreed upon by the participants:
– Bhatta workers should by employed on monthly salary and not on rate system.
– If workers are paid the fixed minimum rate, there will be no need to take peshgi from the owners.
– District management, police, media and trade unions need to work in coordination for saving the rights of bhatta workers.
– Proper representation of workers should be ensured in the District Vigilance Committees set up by the Labour Department.
– Legal Aid Center of the labour department should be properly advertised so that workers in far flung areas know about this and can utilize the services.
Reported By:
Khalid Mahmood
Director
Labour Education Foundation