A factory worker in Lahore was violently assaulted, supposedly for taking a day off, which caused a generalized conviction and demands stronger labor protections.
The incident occurred in the Manawan area and came to light after a video circulated on social networks that show multiple people hitting the worker, identified as AFTAB.
According to the victim’s family, Aftab had said goodbye to a private steel mill and worked elsewhere for a day, anger the owner of the mill, identified as Umar.
AFTAB was supposedly beaten by Umar’s orders when he returned to help some former colleagues look for work.
Initially, the police said the victim had withdrawn his complaint after allegedly accepting the employer’s payment. Aftab also informed the police in writing so as not to follow the matter.
However, later in the day, Cantonment Sp (R) Captain Qazi Ali Raza confirmed that there had been a formal case against Umar and three people not identified after the public protest and a review of the incident.
