Notice to secy in labour inspectors’ case

LAHORE: Justice Jawad Hassan of the Lahore High Court on Thursday issued notice to Punjab labour secretary on a question as to how the government could restrain labour inspectors from entering and inspecting factories or industries.

Advocate Sheraz Zaka argued on behalf of a petitioner that labour inspectors should be allowed to conduct raids to verify record regarding payment of wages and social security contribution. He said the ban on labour inspectors’ entry to the premises of factories would lead to exploitation of working class and poor workers especially working in kilns.

He argued that the appointment of labour inspectors was made under Section 10 of Factories Act 1934. Therefore; he said, the government’s notification regarding restraining the inspectors from entering factories should be declared unconstitutional and in gross violation of Section 10 and 11 of Factories Act 1934. The judge heard the arguments and issued notice to the secretary labour for September 19.