Like many other countries of the world, May Day was also commemorated across Pakistan. Seminars were held in five-star hotels and press releases issued. What good will come out of it, I don’t know. But here I would like to highlight the plight of construction and brick kiln workers.
Brick kiln workers in Sindh, especially Hyderabad, are probably the worst victims of irregular and unprotected labour, low wages, unhealthy working conditions and long work hours. They work in the absence of entitlements such as paid days off and vacation, sick leaves, health insurance, social security benefits and pension funds.
A worker who does not know who his employer is would not know where to file claims for proper pay and other rights and entitlements. Needless to say, work contracts are verbal and workers hardly ever get written contracts. Harassment and abuse of female workers, particularly those who belong to marginalised communities, are common.
Practical steps, both legal and administrative, must be taken to improve the lot of these workers and strict action taken against those who exploit them.
SIDRA NAEEM
Karachi
