July 20, 2008	Sunday	Rajab 16, 1429

KARACHI, July 19: Sindh Minister for Labour Amir Nawab has termed bonded labour “a serious human tragedy”, and said that every member of society would have to play his due role in eliminating the menace.

Addressing a workshop on bonded labour organised by ILO and the directorate of labour, Sindh, here on Saturday, the minister called for initiating technical training programmes for poor youths to help them improve their economic condition.

Mr Nawab recounted the measures taken by the government at the national level to check bonded labour, and said that the ILO and other NGOs were also playing their role in the cause.

He was of the view that poverty and illiteracy were the main factors contributing to the flourishing of bonded labour. He said the government was making efforts to educate peasants and enhance their knowledge for which awareness programmes would be chalked out. He said the government would also extend small loans on easy terms to those vulnerable to bonded labour.

The minister observed that a decline in bonded labour was being noticed for some years, adding that this was the result of the collective efforts by the government and all the relevant organisations and institutions.

He held out the assurance that effective steps would be taken for the release and rehabilitation of those still working in bonded labour in the province.

Amir Nawab pointed out that the government was fully aware of its responsibilities in this regard. Referring to the laws already enacted to check bonded labour, he said that the government had also set up the “Bonded Labour Fund” to provide financial assistance to the victims of bonded labour.

Mr Nawab said that the vigilance committees established at the district level could contribute greatly to the elimination of bonded labour by identifying the areas, culprits and victims in their respective jurisdiction. He said their identification would be the first step towards elimination of bonded labour. A provincial advisory committee, he added, was also being formed to monitor the government intiatives in this regard and suggest measures to curb the menace.

He said that the government was registering brick kiln set-ups while the laws relating to bonded labour were being translated into regional languages for distribution among all those concerned to create awareness of the issue.

He said the objective of holding this workshop was to apprise district government officials of these laws and chalk out a strategy for the elimination of bonded labour.—APP