BLLF calls for stronger enforcement of bonded labour laws

LAHORE: The Bonded Labour Liberation Front Pakistan (BLLF Pakistan) observed Freedom Day 2026 on September 18 to commemorate the historic judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan declaring debt-based bonded labour illegal and recognising workers’ fundamental right to freedom from bondage.

Speaking at a seminar organised by BLLF Pakistan, speakers stressed the need for collective and sustained efforts to eliminate debt bondage, forced labour, child labour and exploitation of brick-kiln workers, while ensuring fair wages, social protection, education and decent working conditions.

The seminar was chaired by MPA Amjad Ali Javed, Member of the Provincial Assembly and Standing Committee on Labour and Human Resource. BLLF Pakistan General Secretary Syeda Ghulam Fatima, MPA Sunbal Malik Hussain, DG Labour and Human Resource Punjab Syeda Kulsoom Hayee, BLLF Executive Member Mahar Safdar Ali, Deputy Director EOBI Abu Bakar Saleem, Executive Director WISE Bushra Khaliq, BLLF Pakistan President Martha Parveen, Coordinator Legal Aid Cell Syed Ayaz Hussain, Coordinator BLLF Muhammad Shahbaz, Saleem Chaudhary, Workers Welfare Board officials, lawyers, civil society representatives, trade unionists, students and brick-kiln workers attended the event.

Syeda Ghulam Fatima said BLLF had organised the seminar to pay tribute to the Supreme Court for its historic verdict and to highlight the importance of continued efforts to eradicate bonded labour.

She said that despite the Supreme Court verdict and constitutional safeguards, vulnerable workers, particularly brick-kiln labourers, continued to face risks associated with debt bondage, forced labour, child labour, poverty, low literacy, inadequate wages, weak bargaining power and limited access to justice.

She stressed that a judicial declaration of freedom must translate into practical freedom at the workplace. Merely notifying a minimum wage was not sufficient if workers could not actually receive it, she said, adding that brick-kiln workers should be paid according to applicable laws and provided understandable records of their earnings.

Mahar Safdar Ali called for strengthening the complaint mechanism and said workers reporting bonded labour or exploitation should not face eviction, threats, violence, dismissal or other retaliation. He said the establishment and active functioning of labour unions at brick kilns could help workers collectively raise their concerns.

Bushra Khaliq paid tribute to Syeda Ghulam Fatima for her longstanding struggle for brick-kiln workers and said she had never staggered in her struggle. She said freedom had been defined through such struggles and could not be meaningful without freedom at the workplace.

“Working in chains is not freedom, and bonded labour involving entire families cannot be considered freedom,” she said, stressing the need for collective efforts and continued vigilance.

Rehana Fazal of the Punjab Social Protection Authority said the authority was providing protection to people in different forms and that a Punjab Socio-Economic Survey was being conducted for their welfare. She said labourers would also be covered under the survey.

MPA Sunbal Malik said the social security card initiative was an important step for brick-kiln workers. She said MPA Amjad Ali Javed had emerged as a strong voice for brick-kiln workers.

Syed Ayaz Hussain said freedom from bonded labour could not remain merely a legal promise and must become visible in workers’ daily lives through fair wages, freedom from debt bondage, access to justice, social protection and safe working conditions.

Deputy Director EOBI Abu Bakar Saleem said the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution had been established to provide pension benefits to workers after retirement. He stressed the need to extend social protection to informal-sector workers and said efforts would be made to expand EOBI coverage.

Workers Welfare Board official Mubeen said children of brick-kiln workers were receiving education through initiatives of the Workers Welfare Fund. He said free education was being provided to workers’ children, while death and marriage grants were also available.

Rashida Qureshi said child labour continued at brick kilns and identified health problems and harassment among major concerns faced by workers. She stressed that schools were the best place for children and called for increased enrolment of brick-kiln workers’ children.

Advocate Saima suggested that brick-kiln workers should form unions to strengthen their collective voice and protect their rights.

DG Labour and Human Resource Punjab Syeda Kulsoom Hayee said brick-kiln workers had been working from generation to generation and were trapped in a cycle of poverty and debt bondage.

She said poverty and lack of skills were among the factors contributing to the problem. Workers often took loans and subsequently became trapped in debt bondage, she said.

She said the government was making efforts to address the issue and that a written contract would be introduced between brick-kiln workers and kiln owners. A contract template had already been provided, she said, advising workers to retain a copy of their contracts.

Syeda Kulsoom Hayee said the Punjab Labour Court Bill had been passed and would be enforced. She said advance wages equivalent to three months could be provided according to the law. She stressed the need for individual contracts and verification of the age of children working at brick kilns to ensure that those under 18 were not employed.

She called for realistic and reasonable work targets for labourers, saying unrealistic targets should be avoided.

The DG said child labour would be abolished and decent work was the need of the hour. She said registration and collection of workers’ data at 160 brick kilns had been carried out for social protection purposes and identity cards would also be made for workers.

She announced that 5,000 children would be enrolled in schools, while around 7,000 brick-kiln workers had been registered. She said the Labour Department would work to break the cycle of poverty affecting workers.

She further said a new scheme would be introduced under which workers could submit their contribution if an employer failed to make the required contribution. She urged workers to approach the department’s helpline for assistance.

MPA Amjad Ali Javed said it was an important day for brick-kiln workers as their demand for social security had been fulfilled. He said social security had been introduced for brick-kiln workers so that their children could receive education.

He said the demands and issues raised by workers would be presented before the Punjab chief minister. He stressed that laws should be implemented and described social protection as an important step for workers.

He observed that workers were sometimes unable to benefit from available schemes because of lack of awareness and stressed the need for effective distribution of resources.

Referring to Ayesha, a brick-kiln worker, he said her educational progress was a success story. He said social security could provide substantial benefits to workers and their families, including access to health and education facilities.

BLLF Demands Effective Implementation of Laws

The participants called upon the federal and provincial governments, labour institutions and relevant authorities to take concrete measures for the protection and empowerment of workers.

The BLLF demanded effective implementation of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1992, and immediate action against debt bondage and forced labour.

It called for effective control of advance-payment practices that create or perpetuate debt bondage at brick kilns and other workplaces, payment of minimum wages according to applicable laws, written employment and wage records, and registration of vulnerable workers with social-security and old-age benefit institutions.

The organisation also demanded effective enforcement of child-labour laws, functioning District Vigilance Committees, free legal assistance and protection for workers who report exploitation, and the right of workers to organise and form trade unions in accordance with the law.

The BLLF further called for stronger labour inspections, enforcement of occupational health and safety standards, protection of women workers from harassment and discrimination, and equal treatment and equal pay for work of equal value.

It also urged the government to ensure access to education, healthcare, clean drinking water, sanitation and social protection for families living and working at brick kilns and other vulnerable workplaces.