Number of Participants: More than 500 Profile of Participants: Provincial Labour Minister Government Officials Political Leaders Civil Society Activists Advocates Intellectuals Print and Electronic Media personnel. Peasants Workers Union Leaders Brick Kiln Workers Students People from different walks of life

The conference had two Sessions. The topic of the first session was “State of bondage and mainstreaming initiatives taken by Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations.” Mr. Arshad Mehmood moderated the first session while Mr. Ameer Nawab, Labour Minister Sindh presided over the session. Other speakers of the session included Mrs Tahira Khan Project Coordinator Action Aid, Mrs. Ghulam Fatima Secretary NCABL, Hakim Ghulam Siddique National Coordinator CACL, Mr. Kashif Bajeer National Manager SPARC, Karamat Ali from PILAR, Salam Dharejo from TDH, Zaibunisah Mallah political leader and social activist, Noor Muhammad Bajeer from CSSP, Punhoo Bheel labour leader, Ashothama from HRCP and Mehboob Abro Ex-Naib Nazim.

Mr. Kashif Bajeer warmly welcomed the guests and shared the objectives of the conference. He regretted that although the government had introduced laws against bonded labour but they were still not implemented.

Mrs Ghulam Fatima said labourers are being denied their basic rights. She demanded that ban on labour inspection should be lifted specially in Punjab and labourers should be given at least Rs. 517 per 1000 bricks wages, social security, medical facilities and dowry fund under the workers’ welfare funds. She claimed that provision of social security cards to the labourers will contribute in decreasing the bonded labour cases.

Ms.Tahira from ActionAid congratulated SPARC team for organizing such an event where all stakeholders like labour minister, labour department officials, members from civil society and haris could participate. She remarked that though ActionAid is making 60 model brick kilns in Pakistan but this effort cannot solve the issue of bonded labour. She said that the government should takes initiatives for the improvement of kiln and kiln workers.

Hakim Ghulam Siddique observed that a silent majority of children is forced in hazardous works. He emphasized that Act 25-A be implemented which could be an effective strategy for gradual elimination of child labour. He showed concern over the lack of education for children and said it is the main reason behind child labour.

Dr. Sono Khangharani said that there are more than six million Hindus working in agriculture and brick kiln sector. They are deliberately pushed into poverty with low wages and are considered born bonded and creatures for servitude. This inhumane caste based attitude should be abandoned if we sincerely demand for abolition of bonded labour from the country.

Zaibunisah Mallah said that it is unfortunate that bonded labour issue is not owned by the political parties hence there is no legislation in this regard. She assured full support from her party and suggested that District Vigilance Committees (DVC) must be restructured and activated.

Noor Muhammad Bajeer said that community like fishermen and peasants are held hostages by their tormenters. Capitalist exploit fishermen by paying them low for their fish. He further said that inadequate humanitarian aid can force affected people to accept bondage to lead life. He demanded that the model brick kiln may be replicated by the government if it really wants to improve the lives of the labourers.

Mr. Punhoo a labour leader said that due to cruel treatment by the employers the workers are unable to get their due rights. He praised ActionAid and SPARC for legal support and medical treatment. He admired the construction work at brick kiln and emphasized that the labourers should be given social security cards and education to their children.

Mr. Arshad Mehmood summarized the suggestions of the conference. These suggestions were agreed upon by the audience unanimously.

• Social Security Card and EOBI Cards be issued to all brick kiln workers in Sindh and across Pakistan. Social Security Cards can be effective tool against Bonded Labor.
• All labourers should be brought under the ambit of social protection
• The Government should ensure implementation of minimum wage board, the government of Sindh should notify minimum wages for labourers.
• Police and judiciary should be sensitized about Bonded Labour Laws System Abolition Act 1992, Factories Act, Employment of children Act etc.
• Article 25-A in implementation can be an effective strategy for gradual elimination of child labour. All the provincial government shall introduce laws and make budgetary allocation.
• Review of Employment of Child Act in light of 25-A and  C-138
• Bonded Labour System Abolition Act shall be implemented and budgetary allocation shall be made for DVCs, LASU
• 100 Million Fund be allocated for Camps.
• Revive DVC under the deputy commissioner
• Problems of the fishermen community should be solved and they should be released from bonded labour
• Model brick kilns should be replicated by the government and such facilities should be made available in all brick kilns.
• Coordinated efforts should be made for the rehabilitation of flood affected people and IDPs Camps in schools.
• Bonded Labour System Abolition Act be adopted by Sindh assembly and bonded labour rehabilitating policy.

Responding to the suggestions Mr. Ameer Nawab, the Provincial Labour Minister said that 715 Brick kilns are registered. The government is trying to bring all stakeholders on board for making amendments in Industrial Relation Act 2008. A draft of regulation is being prepared for providing cover to labor issues of domestic agriculture and construction section.

The second session on “Confronting challenges and initiatives to deal with the bondage was presided over by Mr. Karamat Ali while other speakers were; Mr. Ramzan Memon, Mr. Noor Muhammad Bajeer, Director Labour and  Jami Chandio.

Mr. Ramzan said that the bonded labour cannot be abolished until and unless land reforms are introduced and the peasants are not given their due share. He emphasized that account should be maintained between peasant and landlord. He called all organizations to unite and stand with haris like Haider Bux Jatoi stood for the rights of peasants. He also demanded amendment in the Sindh Tenancy Act according to new emerging realities.

Mr. Noor Muhammad Bajeer said no District Vigilance Committee is effectively working because of its weak and impracticable format. In the name of tradition the peasants are forced to do work without any remuneration.

Additional Director Labour Department Sindh said that Sindh government was taking measurers to eliminate this menace. Registrations of brick kilns are under process and the Establishment of Legal Aid Service Unit (LASU) and of SESSI are the positive initiatives by Sindh Government.

Mr. Jami Chandio said that the two major factors behind bonded labour are feudal system and rule of law. The agenda of the ruling party is not to eradicate bonded labour system but to strengthen it by regulating it into laws. No national party has included bonded labour issue in their manifesto. Government claims houses for the people but in fact 46 percent people have no houses.

Mr. Karamat summarized this session saying that Pakistan is the only country which has not introduced land reforms. Weakness in the Bonded Labour Abolition System Act 1992 should be removed before its implementation was transferred to provincial government under the 18th amendment. ILO convention is core convention for the rights of common people. Kami who is a worker is considered worthless in our society and those who thrive on their blood are called respectable. Universal declaration says that the most damaging system is caste. Religious extremism has also increased the bonded labour because most of the bonded labourers are from Hindus. He considered this is the issue of mind set and emphasized to make change in our own selves and respect all people equally.

The following suggestions were agreed upon by the audience.

• A separate Bonded Labour Ministry should be established.
• The clause of Tradition in Sindh Tenancy Act must be removed.
• The Hari or the labourer should be registered with Revenue Department.
• Brick Kiln labourers should be registered with NADRA under Social Security Ordinance, EOBI and Workers Welfare Board.
• Strict implementation on minimum wages.
• There must be written agreement between the landlord and the peasant or kiln worker and kiln owner.
• Maintenance of account between worker and employer should be made mandatory.
• The amount of Abyana must be paid through monthly bill.
• Ban must be imposed on Begaar, Chher, Wangar and Abwa.
• Bonded Labour Abolition system Act 1992 should be reformed after 18th amendments and implemented.
• Domestic child labour should be declared as hazardous work.
• All the brick kiln must be registered.
• Education should be made mandatory for all.

Outcome:

More than 500 people were sensitized regarding gaps and hurdles in the implementation of labour laws specially Bonded Labour System Abolition Act 1992. The members of civil society and media were mobilized and the conference got media coverage at national level. This conference was unique in a way that all the key stakeholders came at one platform and shared the issues which is contributive for redress of bonded labour issue.