Status paper on BRICK KILNS WORKERS AND THE CHILDREN 2023

As we know that brick kiln workers are often trafficked from their villages by the agent and owners lured by the prospect of good cash advances, good living conditions and so on… and we know that Odisha government was on eyes to stop migration but the cunning brokers are recruited the workers from the month of November, they supposed to come after the Deepavali but most of the brick kiln workers were arrived on November 1^st week itself.

India has abolished bonded labor in 1976 but it remains widespread. There are no changes it’s as before, debt, bondage have raised, and child labors are increasing day by day but government is on sleep. Poor people are always shown temptation and brought them for work, once they reached to the work sites with families, end up working inhumane conditions. We all know that their working and living conditions very bad, there is no change for decades, there is no proper room to stay, no wholesome water to drink, no toilet bathrooms, no bathing facilities, they are all going river to take which is not at all safe. Brick kiln workers are in pain but voiceless they don’t want to be in trouble, they’re afraid of anything may happen to them so they keep quite.

Brick labourCHILDREN EDUCATION:

As they came on the month of November no one worried about their education, the two months’ children were left idle and parents made them work, no owner, no parents, nor government worried about their education. From February5^th 2023 government schools are now running for the brick kilns children. Near Gummidipoondi, there are 12 chambers where all the Odishalabors are migrating. In 12 chambers, almost700 students are there in sites, but only 400 children are accessing to school. In all the school OdiyaEduational volunteers ( EV) are appointed to teach them in their own mother tongue. In 5 schools there are 14 EVs to look after the children.  This educational programme is done along with the Education department – SSA, BRTE, HMs, Teachers, Owners of Brick Kilns and NGOs.

Young migrants and their families from Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai and Cuddalore districts, within Tamilnadu and also from Orissa move towards Tiruvallur district and Kancheepuram districts for their livelihood, to work in Brick chambers. This brick laying is a seasonal work, which lasts roughly for 6 months. TheIrulars (Tribals), from Andhra also cross the borders to work in these brick kilns in Tiruvalluvardt. Basic amenities for these young labourers on brick chamber sites are very poor. Contractors advance money to these labourers who in turn are bonded to work in the brick chambers for 6 months.