Protection of rights of brick kiln workers demanded

Rawalpindi

A human rights lawyer has demanded of the Punjab government to protect the rights of the workers of brick kilns who are believed to be working in highly tough living conditions.

Asma Iqbal Advocate who has worked on various cases related to the workers of the brick kilns stated that the government should ensure that the workers obtain Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) for themselves and their families, including birth registration of their children.

She said the district governments should issue health cards and initiate health insurance schemes for the workers and their families in coordination with the owners of the brick kilns.

“Simple facilities at the work site can be provided such as clean drinking water and first-aid box to improve work conditions that do not require substantial investment. There is also a need to explore the possibility of forming formal forums for dispute resolution and associations for articulating demands of workers,” she said.

She said that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is taking interest in improving living conditions of workers at the brick kilns so he should take an initiative to introduce legislative reforms that may help protect social and legal rights of these workers.