BLLF PAKISTAN'S QUARTERLY ACTIVITY REPORTS

3RD QUARTERLY ACTIVITY REPORT – BLLF PAKISTAN
(01-07-2006 TO 30-09-2006)

JULY 2006

03-07-06: Elesha Masih President BLLF Pakistan presided over a meeting of central office bearers in Bakhtiar Labour Hall, Lahore. Ishaq Masih General Secretary BLLF Pakistan presented the following Agenda points:

1. Problems faced by Apna Primary Schools.
2. Motivation of Parent’s Committee.
3. Planning for welfare of Brick Kiln Labourers.
4. Steps to be taken for elimination of child and bonded labour.
5. Expatriate of Ehsan Ullah Khan.

Meeting was started with the recitation from the Holy Qur’an and Dua. Malik Rehmat Ali, Rehmat Ali Shakir, Shaukat Ali, Elesha Masih, Perveen Kaloo, Nusrat Huma and others presented their point of view and determine to sharpen their struggle.

03-07-06: A parent’s committee meeting was held in Apna Freedom School, Jinnah Colony, Sargodha. President of the committee requested the members for actively taking part in the school activities and fund raising. Teacher Muhammad Ismail briefed the participants about the latest position of BLLF Pakistan and emphasized the members for their co-operation.

10-07-06: A meeting of brick kiln workers was held in Naroki Thatha, Pattoki. About 15 workers joined the meeting. Rehmat Ali Shakir addressed the participants and informed them about the new notification of wages issued by the Government.

15-07-06: Shaukat Ali arranged a meeting at Brick Kiln No.555, Tezgarh, Jallo Morr, Lahore. He informed the workers about the new wages rates and emphasized them to be united. He told them that no owner can take forced labour from any worker.

17-07-06: Ghulam Rasool Shakir presided over a meeting of brick kiln and loom workers at Chak No.64 JB, Faisalabad. He requested the workers for co-operation. He also informed them about the struggle of Ehsan Ullah Khan for the uplift of workers at international level.

21-07-06: A meeting was held in 86/9L, Sahiwal and Okara with the brick kiln workers and they were informed about the new wages rates and bonded labour acts.

21-07-06: Malik Rehmat Ali presided over a meeting of brick kiln workers at BLLF Office, Shadman Colony, Pattoki. He informed them about their meetings with Labour Secretary, Government of the Punjab for registration of brick kilns, issuance of National Identity Cards and Social Security problems. He requested the workers for fund raising on self-help basis so that struggle could be continued smoothly.

28-07-06: Rehmat Ali Shakir held a meeting with parents’ committee of Apna Freedom School, Nizam Pura, Kasur. He requested the parent’s committee members to play their part for removal of differences between the teachers of school to avoid educational loss of students. He asked the parent’s committee members to hold regular meetings and informed the center about the results. He also informed them about the endeavours of Ehsan Ullah Khan for the welfare of the labourers.

AUGUST 2006

01-08-06: Monthly progress review meeting of BLLF Pakistan’s central body was held in Labour Hall, Lahore. Program was chalked out to celebrate the Independence Day (14th of August) with zeal and zest. It was decided that a circular would be issued to all schools for celebration the auspicious day on local level with fervor. It was also decided that apart from other activities, BLLF Pakistan’s central office bearers will also join the Pakistan Workers Confederation on August 14.

07-08-06: A brick kiln workers’ meeting was arranged in Chak No.37, Pattoki. Workers from 5 brick kilns joined the meeting. Malik Rehmat, Ishaq Masih, Arif Masih and Rehmat Ali Shakir addressed the workers.

14-08-06: Colorful functions were arranged throughout Apna Freedom School in Punjab on the auspicious day. Students presented PT shows, Dramas, sang songs and made speeches. In some schools parent’s committees gave away prizes to the outstanding students and read out the message of Founder of the organization Ehsan Ullah Khan.

18-08-06: A five members committee consisting of Rehmat Ali Shakir, Ghulam Rasool Shakir, Ishaq Masih, Perveen Kaloo and Nusrat Huma interviewed the teachers for their final selection at Labour Hall, Lahore. Afterward it was decided in a meeting that a two days training course would be arranged for parent’s committee members to improve their capability on August 25 & 26.

25-08-06: Two days training workshop for parent’s committee members was started. Members were given awareness about their role in the organization, their importance to look after the schooling system, sending of children to schools, child to child program, abolition of child labour, forced slavery, to get rid of fee system, ratta system and ban on corporeal punishment etc.

Afterward a general body meeting was held and program was made to celebrate the Annual gathering of September 18th with zeal and zest.

SEPTEMBER 2006

01-09-06: BLLF Pakistan arranged a two days Workshop on the topic of “Awareness about Human Rights” in Bakhtiar Labour Hall, Lahore from Sept. 1 to 2, 2006. 35 persons participated in the Workshop.

Program Assistant Ms. Rabia Barjis told the participants about the steps taken by the Government for the welfare of the labourers i.e. marriage grant, social security, abolition of child labour and bonded labour etc.

Usama Tariq threw light on the role of Trade Unions for the welfare of the workers. BLLF leadership also informed the participants of their activities and meetings with the Government representatives for the right of the workers. At the end of the Workshop certificates were awarded to the participants.

03-09-06: Central body meeting of BLLF Pakistan was held in Labour Hall, Lahore. Brick Kiln representatives from all district of Punjab joined the meeting and presented their proposal to celebrate the 18th September with enthusiasm. It was decided that all the leaders went to their areas and held corner meeting with the local labourers to convince them to join the celebrations at Lahore.

17-09-06: A central body meeting was held to review the arrangements of 18th September.

18-09-06: 18th September gathering was held in Bakhtiar Labour Hall, Lahore. Elesha Masih was in the chair. Brick kiln workers from all districts of Punjab joined the gathering. Hall was decorated with welcome banners. Founder President of BLLF Pakistan telephonically addressed the workers. He emphasized them to continue their peaceful struggle
for getting their legal rights. He told that though I am abroad but my heart beats with you. I am striving hard to raise your voice on international level successfully. He said that he would be with you soon hopefully. He stressed the parents to send their children to school regularly. Education is the only way to get rid of poverty and slavery.

Other leaders of BLLF Pakistan and labourers also made speeches and determine to continue their struggle for their rights. Children played dramas, sang songs and poems.

27-09-06: A brick kiln workers meeting was held in Kasur. Sadiq Masih, Malik Rehmat and Rehmat Ali Shakir addressed the gathering.


BLLF Pakistan
Lahore.

2ND QUARTERLY ACTIVITY REPORT – BLLF PAKISTAN
(01-04-2006 TO 30-06-2006)


APRIL 2006

03-04-06: A central body meeting of BLLF Pakistan was held in Labour Hall Lahore. Elesha Masih presided over the meeting. Teacher’s salaries and brick kiln problems were discussed at large. Planning was made to make the National Identity and Social Security Cards of brick kilns works and registration of brick kilns.

06-04-06: Malik Rehmat Ali presided over a meeting of brick kiln workers in Pattoki. Workers from all over the Punjab joined the meeting. They were informed about the Shariat Court’s decision and were requested to disseminate this information to other brick kiln labourers. They were also informed that BLLF Pakistan is striving hard for the rights of the labourers day and night.

14-04-06: A Central Body meeting was held in Labour Hall, Lahore. Elesha Masih was in chair. Discussion was held to celebrate the anniversary of Iqhal Masih. All the participants gave their suggestions to make the program successful.

16-04-06: A gathering was arranged in Labour Hall, Lahore in connection with the 12th Anniversary of Iqbal Masih. Inayat Bibi and Taimoor Hussain presided over the function. Ehsan Ullah Khan founder president of BLLF Pakistan addressed the gathering telephonically. He informed that Government of Pakistan is not willing to issue NOC to him. He is earnestly waiting for the moment to come back Pakistan. He told that he has raised voice against child labour and bonded labour internationally. Government is also taking steps to abolish bonded as well as child labour from Pakistan. Our struggle will continue still the end of the forced slavery. He demanded the government for the registration of brick kilns and issuance of social security and national identity cards to the brick kiln labourers. He also demanded that government should waive off the condition of education for the ensuing general elections so that labourers can took part freely. Many resolutions were passed on the occasion.

17-04-06: A central body meeting of BLLF Pakistan was held in Labour Hall Lahore. President congratulated for holding a successful gathering. They determine to continue their struggle for the rights of the labourers.

23-04-06: President Bhatta Mazdoor Mahaz district Lahore Shaukat Ali presided over a meeting of brick kiln workers at Jallo Morr, Lahore. He informed the labourers steps taken by the Mahaz for their welfare. He told that we will knock the door of the courts for gaining our rights legally.

28-04-06: Iqbal Raza Ch. presided over a meeting in Okara. Malik Rehmat and Rehmat Ali Shakir represented central organization. Brick kiln labourers from Okara joined the meeting. They were informed of the BLLF’s activities for the implementation of Bonded Labour Abolition Act 1992 and Shariat Court’s decision. Labourers narrated their grievances and told that owners are not paying them full pays and making illegal deductions forcefully. If they protest of the illegal deeds of the owners, they started taking revenge. Owners also did not allow them to go out of the territory of the brick kilns. Their children cannot go to school.

Labourers were informed that BLLF is staging a protest rally in Lahore on 1st. May and labourers from all walk of life are requested to participate.


MAY 2006

01-05-06: BLLF Pakistan jointly organized a rally with Pakistan Workers Confideration to celebrate the Universal Labourer’s Day (MAY DAY). A number of labourer’s unions also joined this rally. Speakers paid homage to the Chicago Labourers and determined to continue their struggle for the welfare of the labourers.

BLLF Pakistan also celebrated the Universal Labourer;s Day on district level. Different programs were arranged in Kasur, Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Jhang, Sargodha, Sheikhupura and Faisalabad. Workers participated in the programs with zeal and zest.

07-05-06: A parent’s committee meeting of Apna Freedom School, Ahmed Nagar, Chiniot was held under the chairmanship of Mukhtar Ahmed Subhani. He informed the parents about the new school project and responsibilities of the parents. Parents committee was reformed and they demanded new furniture for the school.

08-05-06: A parent’s committee meeting of Apna Freedom School, Shadman Colony, Pattoki was arranged by the local leadership. Parents were informed about their role in the organization.

08-05-06: A parent’s committee meeting of Apna Freedom School, Nizampura, Kasur was arranged. Problems faced by the school were discussed and parents were asked for raising of funds. Parent’s committee also demanded new furniture.

09-05-06: A prize awarding ceremony was held in Apna Freedom School, Manga Mandi. Elesha Masih and Rehmat Shakir represented the central body. Children with outstanding performance were given prizes. Speakers paid homage to the founder president Ehsan Ullah Khan for his hectic struggles for the uplift of downtrodden people.

17-05-06: A meeting was held in Apna Freedom School, Sahiwal. Agenda of the meeting was i) to motivate parent’s committees, and ii) to upgrade the educational standard. Parents’ committee members gave a number of proposals for this purpose and demanded special attention of central office bearers for the betterment of the schooling system.

08-05-06: A meeting of brick kiln workers was held. Problems faced by the laborers were discussed at Large. Labourers condemned the behavior of owners. Leadership informed the labourers of their meetings with Labour Secretary and other officers of Labour Department. They told that they are doing their best at all forums and requested the labourers for their cooperation. They referred the Shariat Court decision through which BLLF Pakistan has got released hundreds of labourers from the illegal and iron clutches of the owners.

26-05-06: A BLLF Pakistan’s Board meeting was held in Bukhtiar Labour Hall, Lahore. Agenda of the meeting was to discuss i) organizational matters, ii) legal struggle for the solution of worker’s problems, iii) raising of funds, iv) contact with government departments for the redressal of worker’s grievances etc.

JUNE 2006

03-06-06: A gathering was arranged in Labour Hall, Lahore by the BLLF Pakistan under the title of “ Awareness of Brick Kiln Workers about the Human Rights”. Present of BLLF Pakistan Elesha Masih presided over the meeting. About 200 brick kiln workers joined this ceremony.

03-06-06: A teachers meeting of Apna Freedom School was held in Pattoki. A strategy was planned to improve relationship between Teachers and Parent’s Committees so that educational matters go on smoothly.

12-06-06: A fun fair was arranged for students of Apna Freedom School, 86/9L, Sahiwal. Rehmat Ali Shakir represented center and distributed prizes among the students.

12-06-06: Ghulam Rasool Shakir held a meeting with brick kiln workers in Faisalabad. A huge number of workers of District Faisalabad joined the meeting and narrated their grievances and oppressions of the owners. He assured the workers for the safety of their rights.

16-06-06: Meetings were held in Pattoki, Kasur and Okara in which workers were informed of the Bonded Labour Act, Shariat Court decision and new Notification issued by the Minimum Wages Board, Government of Punjab. Workers were requested to be united and co-operate with BLLF Pakistan for the solution of their problems.


Prepared by:
BLLF Pakistan, Lahore.