Brick Kiln owners found exploiting labourers

Ferozepur, March 6, 2017: Brick Kiln Labourers Union today alleged the exploitation of labourers by the Brick Kiln owners in a meeting held at Saragarhi Gurudawara despite the fact that they have to work under indecent conditions at the working place.

It is pertinent to add here that according to a research paper published by the Delhi-based environment think tank, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). at least 10 million labourers in India are employed in the unorganised brick kiln industry, working under unhygienic conditions. China’s brick kiln industry, on the other hand, is more organized and less labour-intensive, says 

Usually, an entire family is involved in brick production and they get Rs 400-500 for 1,000 bricks. Although the industry provides employment to a large number of people, it violates their rights as the labourers are underpaid and exploited. The labourers become bonded after they take advance. They are physically tortured by the contractor if they wish to leave their job. Even their payments are stopped, making it hard for an entire family to survive

Earlier also a memorandum was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner on February 27 for not giving the government rate to the labourers without any action so far. It was also brought to the notice of DC that in case the government rates are announced after 6 months, then 8.33 per cent bonus is levied and same is given to the labourers.  This time, the rate fixed is Rs.627 per 1000 bricks – moulding of bricks but the Brick Kiln owners have decided to give only Rs.570 per thousand bricks.

Today, the labourers sit on dharna in front of the office of Deputy Commissioner and threatened to continue the struggle till such time the Brick Kiln owners agree to pay the full labour rates to them.

The Union leaders during their address assured the labourers to get them the full rate of their work.