LAHORE, March 8: Scores of brick kiln women workers staged a protest demonstration to mark the International Women Day on Thursday and demanded that the Punjab government ensure implementation of its minimum wage policy regarding payment of Rs517 per 1,000 bricks and provision of other rights.

They criticised the brick kiln owners for paying them Rs200 to 250 (per 1,000 bricks) instead of Rs517 as notified by the government in 2010. Speaking on the occasion, front secretary-general Syeda Ghulam Fatima said the labour activists and civil society organisations should join hands to ensure provision of all rights like payment of minimum wages of Rs517, provision of computerised national identity cards (CNICs), social security cards, dowry fund, medical treatment and other facilities to bricks kiln workers including women and their children.

She appreciated the government for lifting ban on labour inspections and said it would help workers get their rights under the rules.

Earlier, the brick kiln workers participated in a seminar organised by the social welfare and women development department of the Punjab government in collaboration with local NGOs at Al-Hamra Cultural Complex.

A number of women workers and officials belonging to colleges, schools, universities and other public and private institutions attended the seminar. Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the Punjab government was taking concrete steps to protect rights of women. He said the government would soon devise a strategy to look into all issues relating to women workers.

PWF: The Pakistan Workers Federation organised a protest march near Bakhtiar Labour Hall on Thursday.

Speakers on the occasion demanded that the government implement labour laws relating to social security, old-age benefits, health, safety, working hours, minimum wages and prevention of sexual harassment at workplace. "The government should also ensure implementation of laws on dowry and marriage grants in order to facilitate poor segments of the society," Ms Huma Aziz, a trade union activist, said.

Earlier, the women workers carrying placards and banners marched on various city roads to mark the day.

Meanwhile, a meeting of women workers was also held at Bakhtiar Labour Hall that was addressed by trade union workers both from public and private sectors.

KASHF: The Kashf Foundation also marked the day by holding a meeting.

According to a press release, the participants paid tributes to Pakistani women for their contribution to national development.