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TOBA TEK SINGH, July 7: The Bhatta Mazdoor union leaders claimed at a press conference here on Friday that brick kiln workers were being tortured by the owners to force them to sign affidavits that they were being paid according to the wages fixed by the government.
Human rights activist Bonnie Mendes and district council minority member Ayub Anjum said in Chak 351 Kaleandas, Gojra, brick kiln owners Shahbaz, Liaquat, Akbar and Riaz Masih tortured their workers and get their thumb impressions on affidavits.
They stated that when kiln workers Sajjad Masih, Shamsher Masih, Amanat Masih and Mushtaq Masih refused to do so, they entered their houses and tortured them, women and children.
They appealed to the government and the Lahore High Court to look into the matter and act immediately.
Meanwhile, a powerloom workers conference was held at Gojra on Friday which condemned the government over extending working hours of workers. They demanded that their salaries be raised keeping in view price hike.
PROTEST: The Jamaat-i-Islami took out a procession here and Gojra on Friday to protest against price hike, unemployment and lawlessness.
In Toba, the procession started from Jamia Masjid Usmania and after marching through various roads it concluded at the press club where Jamaat leaders Dr Zahid Sattar, Dr Khalil and Dr Salim Zafar addressed the participants and demanded resignation from the prime minister and president over their failure to maintain law and order and to control price hike.
