Bonded Labour Liberation Front Pakistan is a non profit , non Government Organisation . Striving to foster the rights of bonded labour in Pakistan ,
Main Objectives .
To ensure that all bonded labour are demanding their just legal rights by Peaceful manners in common voice .
To ensure that all Key stakeholder are taking proactive measure to combat bonded labour.
Through under mentioned peaceful multidimensional different activities .
Seminars, Rallies ,Consultation meeting , Photo and Painting Exhibitions , Skill Development Training, Capacity building of Key Stakeholders , Adult Literacy Program, Awareness through Theatre , Assistance to provide CNICs, Social Security Card ,
Achievements
Some Important Achievements:
It will be of interest to mention our achievements and persistent efforts being made in this direction.
Against all odds, (BLLF) has achieved the release of over 85000 bonded labourers from the shackles of slavery. From January 1990 up to May 2019, men, women and children from all provinces of Pakistan. They belong to different sectors like agriculture, brick kiln, and carpet industries. 45% of them were children, 25% of them were women and 30% were men. These bonded workers were freed through Habeas Corpus applications, which were filed in High Courts as well as with the intervention of the concerned authorities and stakeholders. Hence, in presence of the bonded labour system, release without a comprehensive rehabilitation program; was a temporary relief which turned the much strict system in some what mild where the shape of bondage from iron shekels turned into different forms. Most of the released families settled in the near vicinities of brick kilns and had been participating in the activities under the aegis of BLLF.
- BLLF has successfully advocated for statutory revision of Minimum Wage Award each year. An increase in wages for Bonded Labourers, in the minimum wage board and Wages have increased as per wage awarded by the Government of Punjab , currently rate is 1110 per thousand regular bricks.
- BLLF has a unique set up release and rehabilitation centre in the heart of the Lahore Called Freedom Campus the only one in Pakistan , the place where released labourer got shelter till their rehabilitation, for the propose a consoling team provide awareness and guidance.
- Legal aid through very competent and renowned lawyers provided to the bonded labourer.
- Through its wise and continues efforts a coalition was established in 2004 (National Coalition against Bonded labour) and BLLF hold secretariat and is executive member of (NCABL). 2012-2013
- BLLF established its organisational set up in the concerned area with communities around Kilns like parents committees, ombudsman, animators ,and 2500 Rakhwalays (anti slavery guards )etc
- The consistence pressure makes Government to established National commission on bonded labour.
- In the result of three days campaign of BLLF, Punjab Government police department issued notification to all police stations to stop the registrations of false cases against the bonded labour..
- The Federal Government/Provincial government compelled to revise the bonded labour abolition system act1992 and going to amend it the recommendation are already submitted.
- With the continue effort of advocacy through demonstrations, rallies seminar and consultation, the issue is not unheard now and it is in all levels of consideration both public and Governments.
- Supreme Court Pakistan took Sou Moto and ordered to the Government of Pakistan to registered brick kiln and their workers to get the all entitlements like social security cards EOBI etc.
- BLLF has established 50 members groups on 50 brick kilns with paid membership in district Kasur,
- BLLF is member of District Vigilance Committees in 16 District of Punjab
- In Twenty district selected under consultation program/FES, police and district administration playing proactive role in elimination of bonded labour and child labour.
- DPO Hafizabad started SMS service to get complaints of bonded labour.
- Established one Registered Federation of Brick Kiln Workers in District Kasur
- 450 trained and well organised labour leaders
- 24 registered trade unions 9 in District Kasur, 5 in District Lahore and 5 in district Pak Patan, and one in district Sheikhupura registered under the Punjab Industrial Act 2010 with registrar trade unions. Each union named” BLLF Rakhwalay Mazdoor Union.14 Trade Unions are CBA
- 2300 Workers secured with Punjab Social Security Institution (PESSI)
- Key stake holders District Judiciary, Police, Bar, elected representatives, press and government functionaries are aware about situation on bonded labour and BLS Act 1992.
- Stakeholders are aware and sensitised on the issue of BLS and involved in its eradication
- BLLF took on board to NADARA facilitate to en role the brick kiln workers and More than 15000 National Identity cards issued to brick kiln workers on the selected brick kilns through NADRA (regular mobile van program).
- Construction of 120 toilets at brick kilns for safe healthy sanitation and dignity.
- Provision of clean drinking water at 20 brick kilns.
Medical Assistance to 8000 brick kiln workers through government hospitals and medical camps. - Labour Adult education & legal literacy to 2500 brick kiln workers.
Mentoring & Nurturing of leadership of 250 brick kiln men and women - 600 women trained for alternate skills.
- Establishment of Anti bonded labour cell with the collaboration of Labour Department and District Government Lahore in DOL office Toll free Number 0800-15151 is installed with service .
- 72 Consultation meeting with Key Stakeholders in 20 district of punjab to ensure that all bonded labourers are getting their legal entitlements
These achievements appreciated now workers feel confident to open a new vista of life for themselves and their families, a dignified life under their own leadership and organisation.
Process of Brick Making and Statistics
Different Necessary Process of Brick Making
Step One . Mud cutting ,
Step Two. Watering ,soaking, (Toki lagana)
Step Three . Softening clay , mixing Clay Preparation of mud
Step four .Surface levelling , splashing sand and water
Step Five. Transforming wet mixed mud to the place of brick moulding
Step Six.Clay into balls- pairra making
Step Seven .into the brick mould Mud Brick Preparation
Step Eight . Tilting the bricks up and down .
Step Nine . stacking bricks or drying and counting
Step Ten.Transportation of raw brick ( Bhari wala) to the Kilns
Step eleven .Filling the Kiln with green Bricks
Step twelve .Covering Mud Bricks with Keri Baking Mud brick in theKiln
Step thirteen . Coal man preparing coal for firing
Step fourteen. firing the kiln Jallai wala
Step Fifteen .Taking baked bricks out of the kiln
Year wise Minimum wage Awarded by Government
| Year | Wage of raw brick making/1000 Bricks (Rs.) as Per wage awards |
| 1995 | 125 |
| 1998 | 143 |
| 2002 | 184 |
| 2004 | 229 |
| 2005 | 279 |
| 2006 | 329 |
| 2007 | 329 |
| 2008 | 442 |
| 2009 | 442 |
| 2010 | 517 |
| 2012 | 665 |
| 2013 | 740 |
| 2014 | 888 |
| 2015 | 962 |
| 2016 | 1036 |
| 2017 | 1110 |
| 2018 | 1295 |
| 2019 | 1295 |
| 2020 | 1295 |
| 2021 | 1295 |
The Brick kiln industry of Pakistan is not only a major component of construction industry, but employing about 7.5 million people directly and indirectly. Bonded labor is the key highlight of the brick kiln industry in Pakistan. It is mainly the result of poverty and co related with socio-cultural fabric of our country. Bonded labour, deeply rooted in the exploitative feudal system, has been further exacerbated by the recent debilitating economic situation in Pakistan that has pushed countless people below the poverty line. Brick kiln workers are bonded due to burden of advances, their wages very low and they takes advance to meet basic needs. This trap is so strong that families once stuck into this cannot come out even if they work very hard. Even they fight generation to generation to set themselves free of the debt bondage. As well as, work force of the brick kiln industry leaving life under the line of poverty, facing lot of issues, lacking basic rights and access to social security. Since decades, brick kiln workers are subject of social injustice, discrimination, vulnerability and government is not serious to give them free life status. Brick kilns working in remote areas due to that labour department and other relevant institution have limited access to them. Thus, a number of brick kiln are not registered with discussed departments. Even workers have limited access to social protection institutions like NADRA, Punjab Employees Social Security Institution, EOBI, Worker Welfare Board, Baitul Mall, BISP and others. Above described gaps contributed to remain alive curse of bonded labour in brick kiln sector.
Brick Making & Health problems
Brick manufacturing involves three main steps: clay shaping with water (moulding), drying with solar energy and firing with fuel (baking). Workers at brick kiln may be involved in carrying the clay dust and bricks, moulding or baking. Although all the workers are exposed to dust and smoke, moulders are more likely to be directly exposed to dust and bakers have more proximal exposure to smoke. Smoke and dust from brick kilns is an important cause of air pollution. Clay dust contains a mixture of inorganic compounds including free silica, iron oxide, lime, magnesium carbonate, alkalis, calcium carbonate, calcium sulphate, sodium chloride and varying amounts of organic materials while burning of biomass fuels increase the exposure to gases including sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide and particulate air pollutants. Next to smoking, occupational risk factors are a major cause of chronic respiratory illnesses and account for 13% of COPD, 11% of asthma and almost all cases of silicosis, asbestosis and pneumoconiosis worldwide. A review of the literature shows that workers from different occupations exposed to dust and smoke including brick kiln workers are at a higher risk of developing chronic respiratory symptoms and illnesses. Besides environmental exposures, occupational factors also play an important role in affecting the health of the employees. Evidence suggests that factors like length of job, lack of protective equipment, type of work and type of burning fuel is associated with respiratory illnesses in different occupations.
In Pakistan, a significant number of people are working in brick kilns in the outskirts of towns and cities, contributing greatly to construction sector of the country. Majority of brick kilns in Pakistan use wood and coal for baking the bricks which makes the brick kiln workers susceptible to high exposure of air pollution and its adverse health effects. It has been previously estimated that exposure to wood smoke is associated with a 70% increased risk of having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [8]. These kilns range from small kilns with only 8–10 workers to large ones employing more than 100 workers. Majority of brick kiln are open air Bull Trench Kilns situated outdoors. Particulate pollution at these kilns is 7–8 times more than other types of kilns including Vertical shaft Brick Kilns and Fixed chimney [. These air pollutants after inhalation incite inflammation and release of oxygen radicals leading to local tissue injury and pulmonary distress.
Statistics about the Brick kiln Industry in Pakistan
Data about Brick kilns working In Pakistan.(approx)
1 Number of brick kilns functional 30000
2 40 families engaged in one brick kiln
3 Each family comprises of 5 members
4 Number of brick kilns families 40×30000= 1200000 engages in Pathair only
5 Total number of Pathair on one brick kiln 205. Workers
6 Bharai walay (Raw Bricks stacker) 20 Workers
7 Nikasi walay (Baked Brick 20 Workers
8 Jalai walay ( Fireman ) 8 Workers
9 Munshi (clerk) 2
10 Misc 3
Total workers engage on one brick kiln = 258 Workers
Total workers engage on 30000 brick kiln 30000 x 258 = 7740000
Production Cycle
One brick kiln produced 15 million bricks annually .
Price of brick in market for 1000 bricks ordinary
Quality of Brick and rate
Awal No 1 quality – 12700
Doim No 2 quality – 11000
Khangher uneven – 9200
Barshi. Uneven surface – 10300
Notified wage by Gazette notification of minimum wage board Government of
Punjab . Dated September 2018 Rs. 1295 for 1000 ordinary brick But Paid to
Pathair by brick kiln owner Rs. 800 only
Brick kilns Registered under Factories act 1934.
Researched by,
Syeda Ghulam Fatima
General Secretary
Bonded labour Libration Front Pakistan