Posted on by Shome Basu

Life in Indian brick kilns

In West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas District, brick kilns are a shining example of terrible working conditions. In a developing market like India, brick kilns are vital to a thriving real estate industry. The brick kilns work round the clock with no labour laws to safeguard the labourers.
In West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas District, brick kilns are a shining example of terrible working conditions. In a developing market like India, brick kilns are vital to a thriving real estate industry. The brick kilns work round the clock with no labour laws to safeguard the labourers.
The brick kilns draw mostly adivasis from the neighboring states of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. They come to work for six months during the winters to build bricks due to the moderately dry season in West Bengal. They also bring their families along as they can hardly afford to send money back home after their own needs are met. The laourers earn a paltry Rs. 80 a day though they work for at least 12 hours, which in some cases can go up to 18 hours depending on the demand for a particular season.
The brick kilns draw mostly adivasis from the neighboring states of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. They come to work for six months during the winters to build bricks due to the moderately dry season in West Bengal. They also bring their families along as they can hardly afford to send money back home after their own needs are met. The laourers earn a paltry Rs. 80 a day though they work for at least 12 hours, which in some cases can go up to 18 hours depending on the demand for a particular season.
Rice is the only available food at a cheap price. With only Rs. 80 in hand, bonded labourers have to fetch food and other provisions for themselves and their families. Eventually, it leads to hunger and malnutrition.
Rice is the only available food at a cheap price. With only Rs. 80 in hand, bonded labourers have to fetch food and other provisions for themselves and their families. Eventually, it leads to hunger and malnutrition.
They do not get any medical services provisions also. They are not even able to visit a doctor but local informal healthcare providers, or quacks, for treatment. Due to their unhygienic and filthy living conditions, incidents of diarrhoea are quite common, especially, in children.
They do not get any medical services provisions also. They are not even able to visit a doctor but local informal healthcare providers, or quacks, for treatment. Due to their unhygienic and filthy living conditions, incidents of diarrhoea are quite common, especially, in children.
However, it is the women who become most vulnerable in this situation. Incidents of molestation, rape and abduction are common in these ghettos.
However, it is the women who become most vulnerable in this situation. Incidents of molestation, rape and abduction are common in these ghettos.
“Traffickers and are pimps are always on the prowl. We have to take care of our own security. Our children are totally unsafe here, but we are forced to work here,” said one such labourer who did not wish to be identified for fear of reprisal.
“Traffickers and are pimps are always on the prowl. We have to take care of our own security. Our children are totally unsafe here, but we are forced to work here,” said one such labourer who did not wish to be identified for fear of reprisal.
Monetary benefits apart, some labourers land up in these kilns because they are hounded by village moneylenders due to their inability to pay off loans.
Monetary benefits apart, some labourers land up in these kilns because they are hounded by village moneylenders due to their inability to pay off loans.
When these workers are not working in kilns, they are often working in agricultural fields. Terrible labour practices in both of these sectors are endemic, with many families falling victim to debt-bondage. This often means their children also work and cannot attend school.
When these workers are not working in kilns, they are often working in agricultural fields. Terrible labour practices in both of these sectors are endemic, with many families falling victim to debt-bondage. This often means their children also work and cannot attend school.
One of the key findings of the report is that all the workers were from a minority group. All were from traditionally marginalized or excluded castes and classes. Out of the total, 53 percent are mostly Dalits and 43 percent are from Other Backward Classes.
One of the key findings of the report is that all the workers were from a minority group. All were from traditionally marginalized or excluded castes and classes. Out of the total, 53 percent are mostly Dalits and 43 percent are from Other Backward Classes.
Malnutrition is widespread yet ignored. Children are fed mostly rice and starch and their protein intake is minimal.
Malnutrition is widespread yet ignored. Children are fed mostly rice and starch and their protein intake is minimal.
India is estimated to be the second-largest brick producer in the world, producing 200 billion bricks every year. The sector consumes around 35-40 million tonnes of coal per year. Yet, the sector remains unorganized, devoid of labour laws and regulations.
India is estimated to be the second-largest brick producer in the world, producing 200 billion bricks every year. The sector consumes around 35-40 million tonnes of coal per year. Yet, the sector remains unorganized, devoid of labour laws and regulations.