Innocent Brick Makers - by Mohammad Azim Khan Keyani

Innocent Brick Makers
By Mohammad Azim Khan Keyani

Remain busy in moulding bricks from the clay
Stand in a high temperature of fire whole day

Since hundreds of years the buildings are made
So brick making can be called an ancient trade

Although this fact is in everybody’s knowledge
Child labour in brick industry people hardly acknowledge

As a labourer is recognized only family head
And any type of amounts to him are paid

To know about this fact one may be surprised
A great portion of work force on children is comprised
Look at these children of six to eight years age
To whom parents in brick making profession engage

From dawn to late afternoon bricks will make
Even during hot day only short break will take

On working grounds there is hardly any shade
They have to stay in sunshine of high grade

In winter they suffer a lot from severe cold
To work in heat of summer they have to be bold

How much pain in heart do we get when hear
No shoes while working these children can wear

Instead of going to school and in grounds to play
Children inhale gases from coal and dust from clay

Due to bad working conditions and lack of rest
Children suffer from diseases plus infections of chest

In order to make sure their needs are met
Children of brick kiln labourers suffer from burden of debt

Arrangement of borrowing proves to be a big mishap
Due to interest and low wages labourers can’t escape trap

Until the time entire amount of advance is repaid
Whole family prisoners of the owner is made

These owners are so cruel and make this condition
To leave work premises workers need their permission

They have to obey the owners and whoever refuses
Should be ready to face physical and other abuses

Rape of women and even abduction of family members
Has been reported from brick kiln workers large numbers

About brick kiln labourers how painful are realities
Largely come from lowest classes, religious or ethnic minorities

These poor workers hardly have an opportunity for education
They have to work in kiln premises in isolation

Majority inherit work and debt from their fathers
If we go one step in past it comes from forefathers

Their parents before them face humiliation and insult
The children feel fear and insecurity as a result

Lack of education, illiteracy and without suitable employment
Brick kiln children have no source of happiness and enjoyment

Advocacy and other efforts must be made at each level
We should work for all children betterment and upheaval