The brick production sector in Pakistan depends upon fuel wasting units and techniques, which contribute to air pollution and emission of green house gases, thus generating negative economic and environmental impacts. Besides, within the sector there are social dilemmas such as bonded labor, child labor, work-place adverse living environment, unhygienic water and sanitation conditions, poor education and adverse occupational health conditions, etc. All of these problems need serious consideration. The sector is one of the major actors in the construction industry and yet due to its peculiar characteristics is reproached as a non tax-payer and is not recognized as an industry.
It is estimated that around one million brick kiln workers work in almost 10,000 brick kilns in Pakistan. Despite the economic importance of brick kilns, very little information is available on “state” of brick kiln sector in Pakistan. SDPI contributed towards filling in this information gap by carrying out two studies, i.e., “social assessment of brick kilns” and “environmental assessment of brick kilns” for a Swiss organization, “Energy Efficient Brick Kiln Production”.
Social assessment of the brick kilns sector focused on the living and work conditions of brick kiln workers, the nature of the contractual relationships between workers, middlemen, managers and employers/owners and the implications of mechanization and new technologies for workers in the industry. The assessment also includes a review of available reports, and a list of active stakeholders representing the government and civil society organizations.
The research revealed that almost 64% of workers lived below poverty line. Some 80% had no running water at home, 60% had no latrine, 82% were without proper drainage and all depended upon fuel wood for cooking. The workers access to health and education was limited. Moulders had the highest percentage of health problems (backaches, legaches, joint pains) due to the posture required for work. Only 58% children went to school. Adult literacy was available to only 7% workers. Only 57% workers had an NIC of whom only 4% were women. Their working conditions were not better than their living conditions. Majority of them were working to pay back the advance payment they had received from brick kiln owners. Only 16% workers had a written contract. All family members (men, women, and children of the family) joined together, each working for 10 hours daily to prepare 1,000 moulds of brick for compensation, ranging from Rs. 300 to Rs. 350. They were working in inhuman condition in the absence of shelter or latrines.
The research underlined the need for more support and facilitation from government to the vulnerable workers in addition to effective implementation of government's existing laws. SDPI also recommends issuance of national identity cards, adult literacy and vocational training, better work conditions related to remuneration, timings and shelter, and easy access to health facilities. On top of that, SDPI suggests adoption of fuel efficient technologies, and need for tripartite dialogue and transfer of technology under two-way benefit arrangement where workers could be at the center.
Environmental Assessment of Brick Kilns
This study was aimed to undertake the assessment of emissions from BTKs (Bull Trench Kiln) with relation to Environmental Protection Agency’s standards, tabulation of emissions from various types of kilns to draw down a regional comparison, to evaluate the effects of kiln emissions on urban health and tabulate the mitigation measures adopted by the concerned agencies. It also included the study of the impacts of removal of soils used in brick making and to assess the level of public awareness towards environmental issues prevailing in the kiln sector. The methodology was review of literature, meeting of stakeholders and site visits. A team of experts conducted the social survey and assessment of health impacts. The literature review revealed that adequate empirical data was not available for assessment of BTKs emissions in relation to the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS). Meetings with health authorities also revealed that although there was a consensus that the brick kiln emissions did have negative health impacts but no scientific data was available. Therefore, interviewing medical practitioners and paramedics in the study area used indirect qualitative survey technique of interview with key informants. Direct field observations were made to assess the impacts of the removal of top soils on the ecology of the area. The results of regional studies conducted for various types of brick kilns shows that Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln (VSBK) operation reduces green house gases e.g. CO2, CO, SOX, NOX. Apart from the green house gases, the most important matter is the emission of particulate matter – both Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Respiratory Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) in the respiratory range. Level of dioxins measured in the ash from brick kiln showed that brick kilns could be a significant source of dioxins releases. The study recommended starting the process of exploring innovative scientific technologies to address all these negative effects.
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