In Pakistan, an estimated 4.5 million people, including 1 million children, work in slave-like conditions at approximately 20,000 brick kilns. These workers face severe exploitation and daily human rights violations.
To address this critical issue, the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC), in collaboration with the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) and Aga Khan University held a consultation on the Sindh Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 2015. The discussion aimed to identify gaps in implementation and develop a roadmap for the rehabilitation of bonded labourers and kiln workers in Sindh.
Key Takeaways:
Iqbal Ahmed Detho, Chairperson of SHRC, shed light on the existing gaps in implementing the law, stressing the need for pre-legislative scrutiny and judicial interpretation. He emphasized the urgent need for legal aid to kiln workers and advocated for increasing the legal working age for brick kiln labourers and registering them with NADRA.
Miandad Rahjoo, SESSI Commissioner, acknowledged stakeholder efforts but highlighted challenges in enforcing labour laws. He called for reduced working hours, minimum wage implementation, formal agreements, and better rehabilitation measures. Rahjoo also underscored the importance of programs like SESSI and the Benazir Card in providing services to labourers, recommending district-level zones for easier access.
Tehseen Fatima, Secretary of the Human Rights Department, Government of Sindh emphasized SPARC’s valuable data, which can support a multi-sectoral approach in collaboration with the Human Rights Department to address bonded labour more effectively.
Among various important stakeholders, Mr. Agha Fakhar, Director of the Human Rights Department, suggested transferring the responsibility for District Vigilance Committees and Human Rights Committees to the Human Rights Department for more effective oversight and management.
