Sources in the PML-N told Business Recorder that the Punjab government also allocated Rs 5 billion for eradication of child and bonded labour and Rs 3.12 billion as marriage and death grants. Over 87,000 young kiln workers were provided free education along with financial assistance while over 44,000 workers' children between 5-15 years of age were enrolled in schools for free education besides provision of scholarships.
The government also regulated legislation regarding labour by introducing Law of Refutation of Child Labour 2016, Punjab Labour Policy, Domestic Workers Policy and Home-Based Workers policy 2015 and 2017. The sources claimed that the Punjab government made endeavours to facilitate and support the labour force in meeting modern-day challenges through improvement of working conditions and workplace environment. The government is striving to promote healthy labour management and industrial relations for greater socio-economic progress and development through laying equal stress on labours' housing facilities, safety and protection in order to make them more committed to their work.
For the FY 2016-2017, the allocation of labour and human resource department has been increased by Rs 40 million to Rs 650 million. Targets and major initiatives fixed for 2016-17 include: The flagship project of this sector "Integrated Project for Promotion of Decent Work for Vulnerable Workers in Punjab Province" which aims to address the critical issues of child and bonded labour and also to assess and subsequently suggest measures to improve extremely unfavourable work conditions at brick kilns. This project shall be gradually phased into all 36 districts of the province in three waves of 10, 10 and 16 districts. Interventions to be carried out under this project include imparting of non-formal education and skills training, provision of interest-free micro-credit, social protection and community monitoring.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017