Punjab kiln owners to close operations from July 15 until demands met

Owners complain of inadequate wages, forced labor, hefty fines imposed by Motorway Police on coal-carrying trucks

KARACHI:

Kiln owners in Punjab have announced the closure of their kilns starting from July 15 until their demands are met, which could impact the construction sector.

The kiln owners have submitted proposals to the Federal Government and the International Labor Organization (ILO) regarding setting a minimum wage for workers and eradicating forced and child labor at brick kilns.

The Kiln Owners Association presented these proposals during a workshop organized by the Employees Federation of Pakistan in collaboration with the ILO in Lahore.

At the workshop, former ILO Country Coordinator for the Kiln Industry Benjamin, trainer and consultant Javed Gul, General Secretary of Employees Federation Pakistan Nazar Muhammad, Central Chairman of Kiln Owners Association Shoaib Khan Niazi, and Senior Vice Chairman Mehr Abdul Haq, along with district presidents including Lahore President Rana Subhan, participated.

Nazar Muhammad, Secretary General of Employees Federation, highlighted concerns about forced and child labor, as well as inadequate wages in brick kilns, urging kiln owners to address these issues.

Mehr Abdul Haq, Senior Vice Chairman of the Kiln Owners Association, emphasized the crisis faced by the kiln industry in Pakistan and stressed the need for tailored legislation considering the industry's challenges.

He mentioned that the association has submitted recommendations to the Employees Federation on issues such as eliminating forced and child labor and establishing a minimum wage, which will be forwarded to the ILO and the federal government.

Shoaib Khan Niazi, Chairman of the association, expressed concerns over disruptions in coal supply due to soaring prices and hefty fines imposed by the Motorway Police on coal-carrying trucks.

The kiln owners of Punjab have announced the shutdown of brick kilns across the province from July 15, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's kiln owners will also join in protest if the government does not engage with them.

Currently, there are approximately 12,000 brick kilns in Punjab. The closure is expected to lead to a scarcity of bricks in the market, potentially affecting construction activities.