With the help of a human-rights organization, Iqbal was able to escape and go to school. Iqbal completed two grade levels that first year. In exchange, Iqbal, said to be only four years old at the time, was forced to join several other child weavers squatting before looms in the owner's factory. The man had not only the right to Iqbal's labour, but also, if he wished, the right to sell him to any other factory owner. He learned quickly not to bring on the wrath of the factory owner. If he made mistakes, fines were added to the sum owed by his parents.