The brick kiln workers voicing serious concerns over low wages against the minimum wages rules have demanded of the implementation of the existing laws. The brick kiln workers were of the opinion that they were paid less amount against the declared minimum wage which has made it difficult for them to meet both ends of their lives. They also expressed serious concerns over the challenges faced by them including lack of basic facilities, long working hours, leaves in emergency, medical facility and hazardous working conditions. During visit to different brick kiln, they said that bonded labor, harassment, child labor, exploitation and not paying minimum wages to employees were common issues. Nasreen Bibi worker at brick kiln said: “I don’t even remember the exact year, when I came here to work, my kids grew up here to work and now they are part of the same system”.

She said that there are number of women here who were facing various challenges but continue their work to feed their families. Afsheen Safdar a social activist said that brick kiln industry is actually run by businessmen and owners don’t register their kilns with labor department so that they don’t have to provide social security and old-age benefits to the workers. She said that their living condition is alarming, with lack of basic amenities throwing them in a vicious cycle of poverty. Afsheen Safdar urged proper implementation of existing laws towards the most neglected sector, while its workers are largely deprived of their legal rights and entitlements and forced to work in unhealthy and unsafe environments and demanded new laws for their protection and safety. She said that there should be a regulatory body to resolve the issues of these workers.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan