By: Naina Samson
Bonded labor is a severe violation of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, which Pakistan has ratified. These conventions explicitly prohibit forced and child labor. However, enforcement of these laws often remains lax, leaving countless children and adults trapped in generational cycles of debt and exploitation. Despite global progress toward abolishing slavery, the fight is far from over.
Children working in brick kilns face hazardous conditions that endanger their physical and mental well-being. Their unstable social and family lives exacerbate their vulnerability, while a lack of access to education perpetuates a cycle of poverty and exploitation that is nearly impossible to break.
Religious minorities are disproportionately affected by bonded labor. A demographic analysis of brick kilns reveals that this system reinforces entrenched inequalities, particularly impacting marginalized religious groups. According to Pakistan’s most recent national census, religious minorities constitute 5% of the population. Yet, in brick kilns, the percentage of religious minority workers often exceeds 50%, especially in Punjab and Sindh—provinces with significant minority populations, as reported by Anti-Slavery International. Additionally, a Human Rights Commission of Pakistan report highlights the plight of women and girls, who are especially vulnerable. Approximately 35% of women workers in brick kilns face sexual violence and harassment at the hands of their employers.
Pastor Rizwan Saqib, renowned for his work with drug-addicted youth, particularly within the Christian community, felt a deep calling to support religious minorities and women working in brick kilns. During a visit to Rosa Bhail in Kot Radha Kishan District, Kasoor, Pastor Saqib conducted a survey to assess the basic needs of workers. He observed that most lacked schooling, proper footwear, and even basic healthcare, despite harsh winters.
His findings revealed that many brick kiln workers lacked Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs), which meant they had no social security, labor rights, or the ability to vote. Many also had unregistered marriages, leaving them without access to social benefits.
One encounter left a lasting impression on Pastor Rizwan. During a visit to the home of Tariq Masih, he discovered Tariq’s son was gravely ill. Unaware of the severity of the illness, the family had been treating the boy with local hospital-prescribed steroids. When Pastor Rizwan intervened and took the boy to Lahore, it was revealed that he had liver cancer. With the family already in debt, affording proper treatment was impossible. Pastor Rizwan and his team stepped in to help not only this boy but many others in similar dire circumstances.
The team organized a medical camp to address common health issues like fevers, coughs, and allergies, providing much-needed relief. They are also supporting 40 children by covering their monthly school fees, offering a lifeline of education to break the chains of bonded labor.
Debt bondage, a system where individuals are forced to work to repay loans, thrives in marginalized communities with limited access to formal credit and employment opportunities. The conditions are so harsh that repaying debts becomes almost impossible, trapping families in an endless cycle of exploitation. Although illegal in many countries, bonded labor persists, particularly in industries like agriculture, brick kilns, garment manufacturing, and mining. Workers endure brutal conditions, long hours, and meager pay, often passing this burden from one generation to the next.
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Human rights advocate Yasir Talib emphasizes the need to address the root causes of bonded labor. “Social inequality—caste, ethnicity, and social class—perpetuates bonded labor. Weak legal frameworks, ineffective laws, and corruption further allow this practice to thrive,” he explains. Talib advocates for strong strategies to strengthen labor laws and combat this scourge through legal reforms.
Collaboration between local and national organizations, NGOs, and governments is essential to tackle bonded labor effectively. Governments must introduce schemes to economically empower workers by providing access to formal credit and job opportunities. For example, laborers could be trained as security guards for government schools or employed in government-owned construction projects.
Abolishing bonded labor is not just a legal obligation—it is a moral imperative. Addressing the root causes and offering comprehensive support to affected communities are crucial steps toward eradicating this modern form of slavery.
The fight against bonded labor requires collective action. By raising awareness, advocating for justice, and supporting initiatives like Pastor Rizwan’s, we can move closer to a world where every individual is free. Let us act now to build a society where freedom and dignity are the birthrights of all.
About author: Naina Samson is a Christian Women Activist and Psychologist.
