In Nawa Pind, Punjab Province, Pakistan, bricklin labor dominates community life. Families depend on this work for survival, while others turn to farming. Yet this type of work is marked by exploitation, hazardous conditions, and systemic poverty.

Child Labor

One of the most alarming realities is the widespread involvement of children. Children as young as four years old are compelled to work alongside their parents, enduring long hours of heavy labor. A typical family of five—often including two to three children—must produce 500 bricks daily to earn just 700 PKR (around 2.5 USD) for 8 to 10 hours of work. This practice not only robs children of their education and childhood but also perpetuates generational poverty.

Hazardous Working Conditions

Brick kiln workers face constant threats to their health and safety:

Frequent accidents such as broken legs due to unsafe equipment and heavy loads

Skin diseases caused by prolonged exposure to dust and chemicals

Respiratory problems including asthma, triggered by extreme heat and dust

Despite these risks, workers receive no social security or benefits. Government support remains inaccessible, leaving families unprotected and vulnerable to further exploitation.

Seasonal Vulnerability

During the rainy season, brick production halts, cutting off workers’ only source of income. Families are forced to borrow money from factory owners to survive. Although these loans are interest‑free, they come with binding conditions: workers cannot seek employment elsewhere or leave their community. This restriction effectively ties families to the kiln, reinforcing dependency.

Debt trap and Bonded labor and Poverty Cycle

This system creates a cycle of dependency. Families sink deeper into debt, unable to recover financially. Their freedom is restricted, and opportunities for a better livelihood remain out of reach. Debt bondage, though disguised as “interest‑free loans,” functions as a form of modern slavery.