LABOUR EXPLOITATION AT BRICK KILNS IN DISTRICT TANDO MUHAMMAD KHAN

Abstract

More than 18,000 brick kilns spread over different parts of Pakistan produce about 45 billion bricks every year. Families working at the brick kilns play a crucial role in the economy of Pakistan, but they face numerous challenges at the workplace verging on the conditions of bonded labour. Trapped through advance payments, the labour is hired on meager wages and endures verbal as well as physical abuses along with restrictions on their mobility. This study explores the exploitative nature of kiln labour, its causes and consequences, and the relationship between task-oriented labour and disturbance in family activities. The data was collected through a self-structured questionnaire from a sample of 43 adult respondents, who were the heads of families working at the brick kilns. Non-probability quota sampling technique was applied. The data analysis was managed through SPSS applying significance and correlation tests. Findings reveal that the brick kiln labour work for long hours and can suffer severe stretch in their work-life activities owing to task-oriented wages.