December 01, 2008	Monday	Zilhaj 2, 1429

SAHIWAL, Nov 30: The Lahore High Court (LHC), Multan bench, has disposed of a writ petition seeking benefits for kiln labourers under social security rules.

Petitioner Insan Dost Association, Sahiwal, a non-government organisation, filed a petition with LHC, Multan bench, through advocate Rashid Rehman, challenging the amended rules 4(2) of the Factories Rule, 1978. The petitioner said the rules were against the constitution and international labour conventions ratified by the government.

The petitioner prayed the court to direct the respondents to register all brick kiln workers as labourers and issue their social security cards. The petitioners made respondents the Punjab government, the labour department, the Punjab labour director, the local government department and the social security commissioner.

The petition also sought appropriate mechanism for the rehabilitation and welfare of labourers.

The petitioner said that labourers, especially brick kiln workers, had been denied social security benefits even though they had been declared industrial workers under the Factory Act. Brick kiln workers were also being denied marriage and death grants because of denial of social security cards.

Justice Malik Saeed Ijaz disposed of the petition by ordering the Punjab labour director, and labour and human resource department to address the grievances of brick kiln workers in accordance with the law.

Anjum Matto, Insan Dost Association chief, says they will mobilise brick kiln labourers and pressure the labour director to implement the court orders.

Putrid beef: Five butchers were arrested for selling beef of dead, sick and underage calves here on Sunday.

District livestock officials disposed of 85kg beef after declaring it injurious to human consumption.

Reports said that district livestock officials raided the shops after public complaints and impounded 25kg putrid beef from Asgher Ali in Khadim Ali locality, 40kg from Aqeel and 20kg from Sabir Ali in Farid Town locality.

Livestock officer Dr Muhammad Anees said that the operation against butchers selling putrid meat would continue.

Cases were registered against the arrested butchers under the Slaughter Control Act 1963.

SUICIDE: An 18-year-old boy committed suicide by taking poisonous pills after his mother admonished him over some conduct at Canal Colony here on Sunday.

Reports said that Haris was rushed to a hospital where he died.