Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has announced that after brick kilns, children working at petrol pumps, workshops and hotels will also be brought to schools for equipping with education.
He said that minimum wages of labourers will be increased from Rs 13 thousand to Rs 14 thousand from July 1, 2016. He said that target has been fixed to bring every child of the province to school. The Chief Minister said that he will not rest content till enrolment of last child working labour to school.
He expressed these views while addressing the ceremony of launching of Khidmat Cards for financial assistance of children of labourers working at brick-kilns at Expo Centre, Johar Town, here on Sunday.
He said that time has come for accountability of all without any discrimination. He said that so-called elites, after getting their loans of billions of rupees written off, will not escape accountability. He said that those usurping billions of rupees of the poor nation will now face accountability. He said those raising hue and cry on TORs say that it will take time to hold accountable all but they should know that the list of those getting their loans written off is available and in the light of which decision will be made in half an hour.
He said that a child demanded resignation from Prime Minister but he should know that corruption was rampant during the tenure of his father's rule and if details of corruption of only one mega scandal of his father come fore then he will go calmly to Larkana. This child has to move forward, therefore, he should talk which his party can tolerate, he added. He said that scandals of corruption of billions of rupees during the period of his father were available and he should think before speaking.
He said that International Labour Day is a day of dignity of hard work. He said that International Labour Day is observed in the memory of those who earn their livelihood through hard work and play their role in the progress of the country and the nation.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab government has achieved target of elimination of child labour at brick-kilns to a large extent and so far 48 thousand children have been enrolled in schools after bringing out from brick-kilns. He said that every child is given Rs 1000 as monthly stipend while Rs 2000 have been provided to the parents of the children. He said that free books, uniform, stationery, shoes and pick-and-drop service have also been provided to the children.
He said labour is not the fate of the children working at brick-kilns but book and pen, so that they could play their role in the development of the country like other children.
Addressing the Provincial Minister for Labour, the Chief Minister said that he had given target to him to eliminate child labour from hotels, workshops and petrol pumps and he had to achieve it at all costs. Speaking about political situation and accountability, Shahbaz Sharif said that earlier Imran Khan demanded of setting up of judicial commission and now when Prime Minister has written letter to Chief Justice for setting up judicial commission then he has started raising hue and cry on TORs. He said that the children of Prime Minister will appear before the commission and respond the allegations in this regard. He said that everything will become clear in the investigation of the commission. The Chief Minister said that the commission will also hold accountable those people who got their loans written off.
Despite written off loans, these people have palaces, planes and large vehicles and they spent crores of rupees for going to Europe for recreation. He said that despite getting their loans written off they also make offshore companies. Now they say regarding TORs that a great time will require in the accountability of all as per the TORs. They should know that getting loans written off and loot and plunder is a national crime and he who commits this crime should be held accountable without any discrimination. He said that no one including judges, generals, politicians, traders and bureaucrats should escape accountability. Shahbaz Sharif said that time has come for accountability of those who have committed corruption. He said that he was also ready to face accountability. He said that Imran Khan will find around him only those who got their loans written off and grabbers. He asked Imran Khan to think before taking decision, he will become tired and Shehbaz Sharif will go to any extent for recovering looted money of the nation from those who get their loans written off.
When the facts come forth, then Tareen said that the flats in London were of his children while Aleem Khan declared the price of London flats as 28 lakh rupees which is very low. He asked Advisor International Labour Organisation to extend cooperation to Punjab government regarding betterment of labourers.