LHC oders release of 10 ‘confined’ brick-kiln workers

LAHORE, Jul 10 (APP): The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday ordered for release of 10 brick-kiln workers, who were allegedly being held in illegal confinement.

Those released included two women, four children and four men.

Justice Jawad Zafar heard a petition filed by Mazhar Iqbal, who alleged that several brick kiln workers had been unlawfully confined by a kiln owner and were not being allowed to move freely.

During the hearing, brick kiln workers’ leaders Muhammad Hussain Wattoo, Riffat Raja and women labour representatives were also present in court. All 10 workers were produced before the court.

Counsel for the petitioner argued that the kiln owner had been illegally detaining the workers for a considerable period.

The kiln owner’s counsel, however, submitted that the workers had received advance payments from the owner and were working voluntarily under an agreement between the parties.

After hearing arguments from both sides, recording the workers’ statements and examining the available record, Justice Jawad Zafar ordered the immediate release of all 10 workers. The court ruled that the rescued individuals were free to go wherever they wished.