Issues of kiln workers discussed

LAHORE: Bonded Labour Liberation Front (BLLF) held a meeting with parliamentarians to sensitise them to labour issues and to address core issues of marginalised labourers of brick kilns in a democratic way. The meeting was held in Lahore today at a local hotel.

Mehar Safdar, executive member of BLLF, said workers were not provided with safety gear such as protective masks and helmets, thick gloves and work shoes. "Many children and men working on top of the kilns with exceedingly elevated temperatures just wear flip-flops. An ILO research categorized the environmental hazard in the brick industry of Pakistan including exposure to smoke, fibers, exhaust, mineral dust or toxic chemical agents, exposure to poor ventilation, contact with biological wastes, noxious plants or animals," he added.

Nafiza Butt from WWF said that in Sheikhupura district, kiln workers are vulnerable to environment pollution. "The firing process and the structural design of the kilns do not allow enough ventilation, resulting in inefficient fuel-air mixing and incomplete combustion of fuel. This generates black and contaminated smoke containing carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and short-lived climate-forcing pollutants such as black carbon. These pollutants and gasses are harmful not only for the workers but for populations close to brick kiln clusters," she added.

Naseem Ur Reham Shah, Deputy Director Environment Protection Agency (EPA), said, "We have introduced an environment-friendly technology for brick kilns in Lahore."

delegation: A delegation of the Punjab government reached London to attend the Education World Forum-2018.

Punjab Minister for Schools Education Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan is heading the delegation in which Secretary Schools Dr Allah Bakhsh Malik is also included. During their visit, Rana Mashhood will also sign two different MOUs with the British Council in the field of physical education and skills education sector.

According to a handout, the minister said the purpose of these MoUs was to support school sector reforms in the areas of physical education and skills development. The Punjab government wanted to stimulate activities through networking of institutions, information and knowledge sharing between Schools Education Department and the UK based institutions.

job fair: One-day job fair was held at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) here on Tuesday in which 30 companies set-up stalls.

Woman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) President Falahat Imran along with UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha inaugurated the job fair 2018 while industry representatives, UVAS faculty members and students were present. Falahat said it was a good opportunity for students to connect with the industry and find better career placements for their bright future.