1ST. QUARTERLY ACTIVITY REPORT – BLLF PAKISTAN
(01-01-2007 TO 31-03-2007)
JANUARY 2007
01-01-07: A colourful ceremony was arranged in BLLF Office, Pattoki to welcome the near year. Malik Rehmat Ali chaired the meeting whereas Rehmat Ali Shakir performed as stage secretary. Workers, teachers, students, workers, brick kiln laborers and parents committee members participated in the ceremony. Children took part with zeal and zest. They made speeches and read poems. Participants determined to continue their struggle against child labor, forced slavery and illiteracy. Addressing the gathering labor leaders told that historical struggle of Bonded Labour Liberation Front and Bhatta Mazdoor Mahaz during the year 2006 has succeeded to convey the message of laborers to the higher authorities. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the implementation of Bonded Labour Acts. We held discussion with Labour Secretary and other high-ups. We do hope that now the laborers will get their rights soon and determine to continue our struggle for the welfare of the laborers.
05-01-07: A meeting of central office bearers of BLLF Pakistan was held in Labour Hall, Lahore. Elesha Masih chaired the meeting. Organizational matters were discussed and it was decided that an office should be hired immediately so that we can have better links with the labourers.
10-01-07: A meeting of brick kiln laborers was held in the house of Ghulam Rasool Shakir in Faisalabad. It was decided that awareness campaign will be launched to inform the brick kiln labourers about the new wages announced by the Minimum Wages Board. In this connection legal help will be sought through a panel of advocates.
14-01-07: Shaukat Ali convened a meeting of brick kiln laborers in Tezgarh, Jallo Morr, Lahore and decided to present the laborers problems to the Labour Secretary Punjab in written form. It was also decided that a laborer’s delegation will meet the District Labour Officer and inform him the problems faced by the laborers.
19-01-07: A meeting of brick kiln laborers was held in BLLF Office, Shadman, Pattoki. More than 50 workers joined the meeting. Urdu translation of decision of Supreme Court of Pakistan was provided to all and also informed them verbally. It was decided that a delegation of workers will meet District Labour Officer, Kasur.
It was also decided that an awareness campaign will be launched for the implementation of the decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. If laborers did not become active, the decision will be buried into the files. Laborers were informed about the social security facilities.
25-01-07: A meeting of parent’s committee was held in Apna Freedom School, Nizampura, Kasur. Rehmat Ali Shakir and Nusrat Huma also joined the meeting and informed the members of their responsibilities regarding running of school.
During the month of January 2007 a campaign was started for the implementation of notification of Minimum Wages Board and resultantly brick kiln workers of Golden Brick succeeded to get wages according to the notification.
During January 2007 Teacher Aster Lazer left BLLF Pakistan. He got service in Govt. sector. George Jamshed was appointed in his place in Apna Freedom School, 86/9L, Distt: Sahiwal.
FEBRUARY 2007
04-02-07: It was salary day. Salary among teachers and workers was disbursed in Bakhtiar Labor Hall, Lahore. A meeting of office bearers of BLLF Pakistan was held and following decisions were taken.
1. Teachers will send their report on 15th of every month.
2. They will held meetings with the parents committees and send reports to the office.
3. Teachers will assure their participation in the teacher’s training program.
4. Every school will hoist BLLF’s flag and mount school board.
5. All the teachers will open their bank account so that in future salaries can be transferred into their bank accounts for the transparency of the system.
04-02-07: A peasant’s conference was held at Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore. More than 40 workers from BLLF Pakistan joined the conference. Workers from Trade Unions all over the Pakistan participated the conference.
09-02-07: Malik Rehmat Ali chaired a meeting of Brick Kiln workers in BLLF Office Pattoki. It was decided that a list of workers who want to get their wages according to the government notification will be prepared and submit to the District Labour Officer, Kasur without any delay.
12-02-07: A parent’s committee meeting was held in Apna Freedom School, Chak No.86/9L. Teacher informed the parents about the performance of children in the annual exams.
19-02-07: Activity report of BLLF Pakistan was submitted to the Social Welfare Officer. A copy was also sent by post to other related offices.
25-02-07: Brick Kiln workers held their meetings in Faisalabad, Lahore and Pattoki. They determined to speed up their struggle against the violation of labour laws. It was decided that a press conference would be held against those owners who are violating the labor laws. Leadership urge the participants to raise and regularize the welfare funds.
28-02-07: It was hearing in the Lahore Cantt: Courts of case No. 656/04. All the office bearers of BLLF attended the Court. Next date of hearing fixed for April 25, 2007.
MARCH 2007
02-03-07: A general body meeting of BLLF Pakistan was held in Bakhtiar Labor Hall, Lahore. Elesha Masih presided over the meeting. Agenda of the meeting was as under:
1. To celebrate the Universal Women’s Day on March 8.
2. To make preparation for annual celebration of Bonded Labour (abolition) Act 1992 (17 March).
3. Protection of Brick Kiln Worker’s Rights.
4. Registration of Brick Kiln Workers with NADRA.
It was decided that both the days (8 & 17 March) would be celebrated with enthusiasm and functions will be held in Labour Hall, Lahore. Struggle for the protection of the rights of the workers will continue with fervor and government will be contacted to send their registration (NADRA) teams on the brick kilns so that workers can get the computerized national identity card with wasting any time.
08-03-07: BLLF Pakistan arranged a gathering on the Universal Women’s day in Labour Hall, Lahore. President BLLF Pakistan, Elesha Masih was in chair. Women Workers from all over the Punjab joined the celebration. Nusrat Huma, Naziran Bibi, Malik Rehmat and Rehmat Ali Shakir addressed the gathering. They demanded basic and equal rights of women. They demanded the government for the protection of rights of women. The told that women are being sacrifices for terrible rite ‘Karo Kari’ but the law enforcing agencies are silent. They demanded the government to take stern action against the defaulters.
16-03-07: To review the preparations of 17th March program, a meeting was held and a committee was constituted to supervise the preparations. Members of the committee were Hameed Masih, Shaukat Ali, Noor Muhammad and Muhammad Bashir.
17-03-047: Bhatta Mazdoor Mahaz and BLLF Pakistan arranged a prestigious function to celebrate the auspicious day of Bonded Labour Abolition (1992) Act. It was passed on 17th of March. 1992. Elesha Masih was in chair whereas Rehmat Ali Shakir performed as stage secretary. Office bearers, workers, teachers and parents committee members participated in the celebrations. Speakers threw light on salient features of Bonded Labour Abolition Act and told that it provides complete protection to the laborers but sorry to say that law enforcing agencies are silent and like other laws, it has lost into files.
They demanded the government to give wages to all type of laborers according to the recommendations of the Minimum Wages Board. Illegal deduction against so-called advance would be stopped henceforth. Arrangements for education of laborer’s children should be made immediately and they should be issued Social Security Cards.
18-03-07: Annual prize distribution function was held in Apna Elementary School, Chak No.261/RB, Adhowali, Distt: Faisalabad. Prizes were given away to the talented students.
27-03-07: A meeting of brick kiln workers was held in BLLF office Pattoki. Cases filed for the implementation of recommendations of Minimum Wages Board were reviewed. Workers complaint that owners are not ready to give us full wages and if we asked them, they threat us of dire consequences and did not allow to work on brick kilns.
28-03-07: Rehmat Ali Shakir and Ishaq Masih started their evaluation visit of Apna Freedom Schools.
meeting. Organizational and educational matters were discussed. Participants pointed out the weakness and presented proposals for their removal. It was also pay day. Salary was disbursed among the teachers and workers.
BLLF Pakistan participated a demonstration against the dearness, poverty and unemployment in front of Press Club Lahore. Khurshid Ahmed, General Secretary All Pakistan Federation of Trade Unions, lead the procession.
17-03-04: A meeting was arranged in BLLF Office Pattoki. Representatives from other labor unions also participated in the meeting. Speakers threw light on the importance of this day and demanded the government for the enactment of labor laws in letter and spirit.
25-03-04: From March 25 to 31, results of Apna Primary Schools were announced throughout the Punjab.
27-03-04: A meeting was held with parents’ committee of Apna Primary School, Bhaikot, and Kasur. Parent’s committee members were request to take part in educational activities and help to improve the educational standard of the school.– BLLF PAKISTAN
(01-01-2007 TO 31-03-2007)
JANUARY 2007
01-01-07: A colourful ceremony was arranged in BLLF Office, Pattoki to welcome the near year. Malik Rehmat Ali chaired the meeting whereas Rehmat Ali Shakir performed as stage secretary. Workers, teachers, students, workers, brick kiln laborers and parents committee members participated in the ceremony. Children took part with zeal and zest. They made speeches and read poems. Participants determined to continue their struggle against child labor, forced slavery and illiteracy. Addressing the gathering labor leaders told that historical struggle of Bonded Labour Liberation Front and Bhatta Mazdoor Mahaz during the year 2006 has succeeded to convey the message of laborers to the higher authorities. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the implementation of Bonded Labour Acts. We held discussion with Labour Secretary and other high-ups. We do hope that now the laborers will get their rights soon and determine to continue our struggle for the welfare of the laborers.
05-01-07: A meeting of central office bearers of BLLF Pakistan was held in Labour Hall, Lahore. Elesha Masih chaired the meeting. Organizational matters were discussed and it was decided that an office should be hired immediately so that we can have better links with the labourers.
10-01-07: A meeting of brick kiln laborers was held in the house of Ghulam Rasool Shakir in Faisalabad. It was decided that awareness campaign will be launched to inform the brick kiln labourers about the new wages announced by the Minimum Wages Board. In this connection legal help will be sought through a panel of advocates.
14-01-07: Shaukat Ali convened a meeting of brick kiln laborers in Tezgarh, Jallo Morr, Lahore and decided to present the laborers problems to the Labour Secretary Punjab in written form. It was also decided that a laborer’s delegation will meet the District Labour Officer and inform him the problems faced by the laborers.
19-01-07: A meeting of brick kiln laborers was held in BLLF Office, Shadman, Pattoki. More than 50 workers joined the meeting. Urdu translation of decision of Supreme Court of Pakistan was provided to all and also informed them verbally. It was decided that a delegation of workers will meet District Labour Officer, Kasur.
It was also decided that an awareness campaign will be launched for the implementation of the decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. If laborers did not become active, the decision will be buried into the files. Laborers were informed about the social security facilities.
25-01-07: A meeting of parent’s committee was held in Apna Freedom School, Nizampura, Kasur. Rehmat Ali Shakir and Nusrat Huma also joined the meeting and informed the members of their responsibilities regarding running of school.
During the month of January 2007 a campaign was started for the implementation of notification of Minimum Wages Board and resultantly brick kiln workers of Golden Brick succeeded to get wages according to the notification.
During January 2007 Teacher Aster Lazer left BLLF Pakistan. He got service in Govt. sector. George Jamshed was appointed in his place in Apna Freedom School, 86/9L, Distt: Sahiwal.
FEBRUARY 2007
04-02-07: It was salary day. Salary among teachers and workers was disbursed in Bakhtiar Labor Hall, Lahore. A meeting of office bearers of BLLF Pakistan was held and following decisions were taken.
1. Teachers will send their report on 15th of every month.
2. They will held meetings with the parents committees and send reports to the office.
3. Teachers will assure their participation in the teacher’s training program.
4. Every school will hoist BLLF’s flag and mount school board.
5. All the teachers will open their bank account so that in future salaries can be transferred into their bank accounts for the transparency of the system.
04-02-07: A peasant’s conference was held at Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore. More than 40 workers from BLLF Pakistan joined the conference. Workers from Trade Unions all over the Pakistan participated the conference.
09-02-07: Malik Rehmat Ali chaired a meeting of Brick Kiln workers in BLLF Office Pattoki. It was decided that a list of workers who want to get their wages according to the government notification will be prepared and submit to the District Labour Officer, Kasur without any delay.
12-02-07: A parent’s committee meeting was held in Apna Freedom School, Chak No.86/9L. Teacher informed the parents about the performance of children in the annual exams.
19-02-07: Activity report of BLLF Pakistan was submitted to the Social Welfare Officer. A copy was also sent by post to other related offices.
25-02-07: Brick Kiln workers held their meetings in Faisalabad, Lahore and Pattoki. They determined to speed up their struggle against the violation of labour laws. It was decided that a press conference would be held against those owners who are violating the labor laws. Leadership urge the participants to raise and regularize the welfare funds.
28-02-07: It was hearing in the Lahore Cantt: Courts of case No. 656/04. All the office bearers of BLLF attended the Court. Next date of hearing fixed for April 25, 2007.
MARCH 2007
02-03-07: A general body meeting of BLLF Pakistan was held in Bakhtiar Labor Hall, Lahore. Elesha Masih presided over the meeting. Agenda of the meeting was as under:
1. To celebrate the Universal Women’s Day on March 8.
2. To make preparation for annual celebration of Bonded Labour (abolition) Act 1992 (17 March).
3. Protection of Brick Kiln Worker’s Rights.
4. Registration of Brick Kiln Workers with NADRA.
It was decided that both the days (8 & 17 March) would be celebrated with enthusiasm and functions will be held in Labour Hall, Lahore. Struggle for the protection of the rights of the workers will continue with fervor and government will be contacted to send their registration (NADRA) teams on the brick kilns so that workers can get the computerized national identity card with wasting any time.
08-03-07: BLLF Pakistan arranged a gathering on the Universal Women’s day in Labour Hall, Lahore. President BLLF Pakistan, Elesha Masih was in chair. Women Workers from all over the Punjab joined the celebration. Nusrat Huma, Naziran Bibi, Malik Rehmat and Rehmat Ali Shakir addressed the gathering. They demanded basic and equal rights of women. They demanded the government for the protection of rights of women. The told that women are being sacrifices for terrible rite ‘Karo Kari’ but the law enforcing agencies are silent. They demanded the government to take stern action against the defaulters.
16-03-07: To review the preparations of 17th March program, a meeting was held and a committee was constituted to supervise the preparations. Members of the committee were Hameed Masih, Shaukat Ali, Noor Muhammad and Muhammad Bashir.
17-03-047: Bhatta Mazdoor Mahaz and BLLF Pakistan arranged a prestigious function to celebrate the auspicious day of Bonded Labour Abolition (1992) Act. It was passed on 17th of March. 1992. Elesha Masih was in chair whereas Rehmat Ali Shakir performed as stage secretary. Office bearers, workers, teachers and parents committee members participated in the celebrations. Speakers threw light on salient features of Bonded Labour Abolition Act and told that it provides complete protection to the laborers but sorry to say that law enforcing agencies are silent and like other laws, it has lost into files.
They demanded the government to give wages to all type of laborers according to the recommendations of the Minimum Wages Board. Illegal deduction against so-called advance would be stopped henceforth. Arrangements for education of laborer’s children should be made immediately and they should be issued Social Security Cards.
18-03-07: Annual prize distribution function was held in Apna Elementary School, Chak No.261/RB, Adhowali, Distt: Faisalabad. Prizes were given away to the talented students.
27-03-07: A meeting of brick kiln workers was held in BLLF office Pattoki. Cases filed for the implementation of recommendations of Minimum Wages Board were reviewed. Workers complaint that owners are not ready to give us full wages and if we asked them, they threat us of dire consequences and did not allow to work on brick kilns.
28-03-07: Rehmat Ali Shakir and Ishaq Masih started their evaluation visit of Apna Freedom Schools.
meeting. Organizational and educational matters were discussed. Participants pointed out the weakness and presented proposals for their removal. It was also pay day. Salary was disbursed among the teachers and workers.
BLLF Pakistan participated a demonstration against the dearness, poverty and unemployment in front of Press Club Lahore. Khurshid Ahmed, General Secretary All Pakistan Federation of Trade Unions, lead the procession.
17-03-04: A meeting was arranged in BLLF Office Pattoki. Representatives from other labor unions also participated in the meeting. Speakers threw light on the importance of this day and demanded the government for the enactment of labor laws in letter and spirit.
25-03-04: From March 25 to 31, results of Apna Primary Schools were announced throughout the Punjab.
27-03-04: A meeting was held with parents’ committee of Apna Primary School, Bhaikot, and Kasur. Parent’s committee members were request to take part in educational activities and help to improve the educational standard of the school.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
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