Farooq Tariq, Lahore
Thousands of Pakistani bhatta (brick-kiln) workers protested on March 17 in three cities against attempts by employers to maintain the peshgi (advance) system of bonded labour. The demonstrations were organised by the Pakistan Bhatta Workers Union, which was set up by supporters of the Labour Party Pakistan in 2004.
The largest demonstration was at Lahore where at least 5000 workers participated. There were demonstrations in Toba Tek Singh and Noshero Feroz in Sind province. In Toba Tek Singh, the police banned the rally and some 700 bhatta workers were forced to have a public meeting inside the premises of the Toba Press Club.
Under the peshgi system, employers advance money to workers, who cannot leave until they repay the whole amount. Most of the workers are illiterate and they do not know how much money is being repaid. The bosses take advantage of this and impose many "fines" on the workers. The peshgi system was formally abolished 12 years ago by the Supreme Court, but the employers are trying to have it legally recognised again.
There are 1.8 million workers in brick-kiln factories in Pakistan. Most of them work in inhuman conditions and under the peshgi system.
In Lahore, the district government informed the Bhatta Workers Union in writing that the rally was banned. The rally went ahead after discussion with the police when it was made clear to them that the rally would take place in defiance of the ban.
Rally participants carried placards reading "No to bonded labour", "No to peshgi system", "Register the Bhatta" and "500 rupees for 1000 bricks".
The workers are paid at piece rates for the number of bricks they produce. The minimum wage board of the federal government decided in 1998 that the workers receive a payment rate of at least 184 rupees per 1000 bricks. Previously there had been no legal protection for brick kiln workers.
However, most bhatta workers are currently only paid 100-130 rupees per 1000 bricks. This amount is only paid to the male head of the family, but the whole family — men, women and children — will work in the factory.
By working from 6am to 7pm, a family can produce 1000-1500 bricks in one day. When sold on the open market, the factory owner will receive around 3000 rupees for 1000 bricks.
Addressing the Lahore rally, Mehmood But, general secretary of the Pakistan Bhatta Mazdoor Union, warned the bosses that the peshgi system had been declared illegal by the courts. He also denounced the bosses' "strike". The employers of the bhatta factories have shut down their factories for a month, asking the government to intervene against "outsiders" within the union, who they allege are provoking the bhattas workers.
[Farooq Tariq is the general secretary of Labour Party Pakistan.]
From Green Left Weekly, March 29, 2006.
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