Punjab government Spokesman Zaeem Qadri has said that elimination of child labour and provision of free education to the children of brick kiln workers is mission of the present government. Addressing a press conference , he said the Punjab government will ensure implementation on Prohibition of Child Labour at Brick Kilns Ordinance 2016 and the education to the children of brick kiln labourers will be ensured in government schools during next three months. He advised brick kiln owners that being a patriotic Pakistanis, they should help Punjab government in uplifting the living standard of brick kiln workers through education and eliminating child labour instead of going to strike. Qadri said that there is no justification of strike as the Punjab government had already taken the Brick Kilns Owners Association into confidence in formulating this Ordinance. He said that around 500 cases of child labour were reported during checking of 2,517 brick kilns since issuance of this Ordinance and FIRs have been registered against 498 brick kiln owners, while 472 brick kiln owners were arrested and 201 brick kilns have been sealed so far.Secretary Labour and Human Resource Department Ali Sarfraz was present on the occasion. Zaeem Qadri said that Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to carry out indiscriminate action for eliminating the menace of child labour at all brick kilns throughout the province and no leniency should be shown to anyone. 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 owners of brick kilns. Qadri said that under the ordinance, sealing of brick kiln, fine and six months imprisonment can be awarded. He told that Labour and 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. Qadri said that Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced special package for children of kiln labours for enrollment in schools under which free education, books, notebooks, uniform and stipend of Rs 1,000 rupees per month per child will be given while Rs 2,000 will be given to the parents from next academic session.
