The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday ordered the release of 13 brick kiln workers, including women and children. Justice Ali Zia Bajwa passed the orders while hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by a relative of workers, Maqbool Ahmad, for their production and release.
Earlier, a bailiff produced the kiln workers before the court after recovering them from the custody of brick kiln owner. The bailiff reported that the workers had been detained by the kiln owner.
The petitioner’s counsel argued before the court that the respondent owners were extracting forced labour from the workers and they were not being paid according to market rates. However, the respondent’s counsel submitted that the workers had received advance cash and were being paid regularly.
