A note on the continuing struggle of bonded laourers, their release and rehabilitation continues and they have now begun to ask for justice. Yet much remains to be done. Note based on filings by GRDO, Hyderabad, Sindh.

Related Links
The Saga of Bonded Kiln Workers
Lalee: A Story of a Freed Slave
March against Bonded Labor in Pakistan
GRDO Calls for Rehab Plans for Rescued Slaves

Brick kilns in Pakistan often use bonded labourers. In and around Hyderabad, in the province of Sindh, many bonded labourers continue to slave – literally – in brick kilns with little or no pay and often under extreme duress. (Brick kilns are not the only kind of establishment using bonded labourers – bonded labourers are also used as agricultural workers).

In the past few years, as part of a national effort opposing bonded labourers by a network of NGOs, significant progress has been made to increase awareness about the state of bonded labourers in brick kilns as well as to raid the premises and release and rehabilitate bonded labourers. The government agencies have only been somewhat supportive of these efforts – thus, released labourers as well as members of NGOs face violence from ‘labourer owners’ as well as from government agencies being used to thwart human rights and justice.

On 6^th April 2008, for example, 58 workers were released after an NGO – SPARC – raided a brick kiln. Those workers released from the kiln were presented to the press and described their experiences. This often becomes necessary because to publicly document the extent of bonded labour in the country as well as to protect – even marginally – from the violence from those who enslaved these labourers. The ‘raiding’ group could not release 49 more workers. The labourers had large numbers of children who were often worked long hours irrespective of the state of their health. Women faced sexual and physical harassment.

After release, rehabilitation becomes important – these communities are very vulnerable to further exploitation. A few organizations have attempted to provide affordable housing and employment to those released. In one case, GRDO – an NGO that has been very active on this issue – has mobilized these former bonded labourers to form a union. GRDO reported that kiln workers received the certificate of registration, with Registration No. 1518/1894/08, of All Hyderabad Bhatta (kiln) Workers Union. This union will benefit some 25000 kiln workers working in Hyderabad region at some 200 kilns.

This has been a significant achievement for these former bonded labourers. Intensive mobilization mobilization, advocacy and lobbying went into achieving this. Example of organizing and advocacy included

(i)  At least 24 meetings of kiln workers were held during these months
(ii) False cases were filed by kiln owners against kiln workers as many a times workers received threats of worse consequences from kiln owners

(iii) A big convention of kiln workers were held which was participated by kiln workers from all over the country

(iv) 18 protest rallies were held against the atrocities of kiln owners

(v)  Two street theaters were presented on the issue

(vi) Seven meetings were held with officials 

All of these were necessary to strengthen the network of brick kiln labourers, rebuild their morale and help them organize to effectively demand justice.

In one such event – a peasant conference titled Hari Mazdoor Tanzeem – hundreds of peasants from all around Sindh carried out rally from district council to press club Hyderabad. Peasants were carrying banners and play cards in their hands that said “distribute Govt. land among local and freed bonded labor peasants” and demanded abolition of bonded labor. A large number of peasant women led the rally carrying large empty plates and   beating them with wooden spoon to symbolize that though they producing food, they are facing hunger.

At the rally, the following resolutions were passed unanimously by the participants:

1. We call upon the government to allot lands to the liberated peasants to ensure food security. Have CNICs of all peasants prepared on priority basis and register their names in voters’ lists

2. Every citizen had the right to have food, clothes, shelter, health cover, clean drinking water, education and other basic facilities. It is responsibility of govt. and govt. should must take immediate action to insure the availability of above to every one.
3. We demand strict implementation of the Agricultural Reforms Act 1977 in letter and spirit and withdrawal of all the exemptions in the act.

4. We demand that the government should stop privatization of state lands including Thari cattle farm, take back forest lands from influential landlords and conduct a survey of Katcho, Kachho, Kohistan, Kachh, Thar and Thal area.

5. We demand an immediate ban on the sale of injurious chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers and waive all the loans the peasants owed to landlords in order to help eliminate bonded labour.
6. We urge the government to stop sale of water to influential landlords and make sure they did not cultivate more than 33 per cent of their lands to guarantee supply of water to

tail-end grower

7. We Demand that all the villages in the rural and urban areas should be regularized, proper arrangements for health and education and clean drinking water should be made in the villages and minimum wages should be announced for the farm workers.
8. WE demand that the tenancy tribunals and hari courts should be made subordinate to the judiciary and set up on the pattern of labour courts where peasants themselves or their representatives should be allowed to plead their cases.

Release had rehabilitation has empowered these very vulnerable communities. They are now able to demand justice (though they often do not get it). They have been able to move the media and subsequently get some help from the police and the courts for release of their friends and family who are still bonded labourers. Recently, the Additional Session Court Hyderabad ordered to released some 150 bonded labourers from three different brick kilns near Hyderabad. These people will be produced before the court as per court orders to the police.

However, even with those released, problems continue. In a recent case, kiln owners have not paid workers past wages. On last Thursday (23rd October 2008) owners refused to pay the wages to the workers so since last three days they are facing starvation, yesterday some 400 kiln workers gathered at Azad Nagar community center, most of them declared that they have not received their wages thus they are unable to purchase edibles so their families are starving. The meeting decided to take out paddle march under the banner of all Hyderabad brick kiln workers union to the offices of district Nazim (Mayor) and Deputy inspector General Police and will give a sit in there till decision .DIG who visited the Azad Nagar and held meeting with workers on Tuesday the 21st October 2008, and assured the workers for the release of all bonded labourers he sought application from kiln workers and 381 applications have been submitted to D.I.Gs office through D.S.P Tando Jam, No Action so for has been taken   for the release of boned labor or against kiln owner who are evolved in taking forced labor. Kiln workers in Hyderabad are receiving a wage of Rs. 200/ 1000 brick where as Govt. Rate is Rs.443/1000.

These organizations such as the Hari Mazdoor Tanzeem as well as the new formed unions along with NGOs such as GRDO and SPARC continue to work on ending bonded labour and improving condition of labourers. Despite all the progress, the situation still continues to be grim. Community support continues to play a big role in the success of their efforts.

For more information, you could contact Dr.Ghulam Haider, Director GRDO, grdovsk@yahoo.com