LAHORE – Like the other parts of the country, International Women’s Day was observed in the provincial capital on Thursday. Different organisations, working for women’s rights and educational institutions held seminars and rallies to mark the day.
In this regard, brick kiln women workers took out a rally and demanded of the government to ensure implementation of its minimum wage policy by forcing the brick kiln owners to pay Rs 517 (per thousand bricks) giving other legitimate rights to their workers according to labour laws. The rally was held under auspices of Bonded Labour Liberation Front-BLLF in collaboration Actionaid Pakistan and European Union here at Press Club.
Led by the BLLF Secretary General Ghulam Fatima and the Support Social and Decent Work Project Manager Mahar Safdar Ali, the women workers chanted slogans against the bricks kiln owners and the authorities concerned for doing nothing except to deprive them of their rights. They said they were being paid Rs 200 to 250 (per 1000 bricks) instead of Rs 517 as notified by the government earlier.
Speaking on the occasion BLLF secretary General Syeda Ghulam Fatima said the labour activists and civil society organisations should join hands to ensure provision of all rights.
Chanan Development Association in collaboration with British Council, Global Change makers, Global for Children and Youth Peer Education Network organised ‘Young Women’s Leadership Festival 2012’ to commemorate International Women’s Day at PILAC on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Education Foundation has launched a skills development programme for female students which account for more than 50 percent of the total 1.1 million studying free of cost in various schools under its umbrella.