Family of bonded labourer protests in front of NPC

Islamabad

Threats from the employer and unfulfilled promises of Punjab government brought family of Irfan, 13-year-old bonded labour child from Shaikhupura. Irfan is a victim of hand chopping by his employer, before the National Press Club (NPC) to demand security and early transfer of compensation money.

Irfan, son of Falak Sher, was a domestic help in the house of Shafqat Bibi at Rs3,000 per month salary. In the first week of May, the boy demanded his salary and food from his employers which angered her and she pushed the boy in fodder cutting machine allegedly chopping his right hand.

At that time, Chief Minister of Punjab visited the family and announced Rs1 million for the family. Instead of receiving any assistance and help, the family went deeper into trouble for taking a stand before an influential employer and started receiving threats of revenge to pressurise them for taking the case back.

With placards in their hands inscribed with their demands, the family stayed for a brief period of time in front of the National Press Club. The family, along with the boy, demonstrated in front of the National Press Club to draw attention of the authorities concerned for providing protection from the employers’ family from whom they are constantly receiving threats for revenge if the case is not withdrawn immediately. The family also approached the SPARC office for help on Saturday.

According to the family, two brothers of the lady employer were arrested after the boy’s mother managed to register FIR a month after the accident took place. They said that the release of the employer’s brothers last week has left them with no hope of justice. The family blamed that after their release, they have started threatening the family that they would register a case of fraud against the family.

Despite several efforts and complete compliance, the family is still unable to receive the funds announced by the CM during his visit to the family in Shaikhupura. The new challenge of threats and warnings has added to the misery of the family and the boy.

While demonstrating peacefully at the National Press Club, the family along with the boy requested Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to provide security to the family from the culprits and to help in early transfer of the cash grant so that the victim can receive the required medical care.

They also demanded from the state to register the case as per Punjab Bonded Labour System Abolition Amended Act-2012 and Bonded Labour System Abolition Act 1992.