An Exploratory Study of Child Labor in Brick Kilns in Sheikhupura District, Punjab, Pakistan

10.2478/bjlp-2023-00000197

Abstract

This study examines the living condition of child labor at brick kilns with specific to district Sheikhupura for that the qualitative research design was used for it. The study sample was the children and family male members working in brick kilns and stakeholders which were selected through purposive sampling. Fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted with male members of families to explore the experience of families along with two interviews conducted from the stakeholders regarding their interventions and causes of child labor. Non-participant observation was also conducted to observe the conditions of child labor in brick kilns.This study used thematic analysis to analyze data, findings revealed that the causes of child labor include poverty along with indulgence in parent’s profession and debt bondage. Additionally, seasonal variations effect on debt and health of workers in the form of illness, pneumonia, hepatitis, heatstroke for example, children got red eyes, pale color, and dropped out from schools due to work more time with their parents at the brick kilns.Participants focused on skills for their children rather than formal schooling, only two participants pointed out that education is also necessary with skills. Participants do not foresee the better opportunities for their children because of high expenses in schooling, the poor structure of schools and a worse environment of addiction to drugs. About half the participants got support from the government and private institutions in the form of cash and adult learning programs. Interventions of stakeholders were to enroll more than six thousand children in schools, train the workers for occupational safety and health (OSH), and registering them at NADRA.