Exploitation in Pakistan’s Brick Kilns Exposed: Human Rights Study Reveals Grave Abuses
- Human Rights Research Center
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Author: Aamnah Fatima Khan
September 2, 2025
HRRC strongly condemns the exploitation of brick kiln workers, a blatant violation of constitutional and international rights. The state must ensure strict enforcement of labour laws, provide social security coverage, and create rehabilitation programs to end bonded labour once and for all.
![The workers are not shown their accounts and are thus kept in the dark of the numbers being entered into the books [Image credit: Faras Ghani/Al Jazeera]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_6015881d949448449637dfbb570cd224~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_28,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_6015881d949448449637dfbb570cd224~mv2.png)
The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) of Pakistan has released a study exposing systemic exploitation of brick kiln workers in Punjab. The report, “Unveiling exploitation and abuse in the brick kilns of Punjab”, documents bonded labour, gender-based violence, unsafe conditions and the denial of basic labour rights.
The study interviewed 30 victims and surveyed 200 workers in Kasur and Faisalabad. 90% of labourers lacked formal contracts, making them vulnerable to legal safeguards, and 97% of them entered kilns out of an immediate need for money. Over 70% of families were forced to live in crowded, one-room quarters.
Numerous incidents of verbal abuse, beatings, torture, kidnappings and even deaths were reported by employees. Women were especially vulnerable to oppression, forced marriages and sexual harassment. Without safety measures, labourers worked in harsh weather conditions, received earnings well below the minimum rate, and were denied access to social security.
At the launch event of the National Commission of Human Rights (NCHR), NCHR Chairperson Rabiya Javeri Agha stressed that ending bonded labour is a constitutional obligation. Justice Jawad Hassan of the Lahore High Court said bonded labour “remains an unfinished horror” and urged reforms in the judiciary, legislature and executive branches. Ministry of Human Rights Secretary Abdul Khalique Sheikh acknowledged that, although laws exist, enforcement remains weak.
The Pakistan Partnership Initiative (PPI), which collaborated on the study, revealed that over 2,300 kiln families have been rescued and rehabilitated. The findings call for urgent reforms and stronger protections for vulnerable workers.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) criticized the 2025–26 federal budget, saying it fails to provide relief to low-income groups already struggling with prolonged inflation.
Glossary
Blatant – something very obvious and clear, usually in a bad way.
Bonded Labor – a form of slavery where someone must work to pay off a debt or a loan, most commonly to an employer or landlord.
Brick kiln – a place where bricks are made by baking clay in a large oven.
Condemns – strongly says something is wrong or bad.
Enforcement – making sure that rules or laws are followed.
Executive – the part of government that puts laws and decisions into action.
Exploitation – treating people unfairly to take advantage of their work.
Humane (opposite of inhumane) – treating people kindly.
Inhumane – cruel and lacking kindness.
Inflation – when prices of goods and services go up, making money lose value.
Legislature – the part of government that makes laws.
Judiciary – The judiciary is the part of a government that operates the court system to interpret, apply, and defend the law in legal disputes.
Oppressed – subject to inflict abuse, mistreatment, or cruelty.
Prolonged – continuing for a long time or longer than usual.
Quarters –
Rehabilitation – helping people return to a normal and better life after suffering or hardship.
Social Security – the right of individuals to receive protection and support from the state, ensuring access to social services and economic security, particularly in times of need.
Sources