Economic life of North Sindh Kiln Labour

Abstract

Brick making is a process which involves different types of labour. Munshi deals with Jamaadars. Jamaadars are operating hands of the Munshi of the kiln. Jamaadars and distribute work quotas. North Sindh kiln labour education profile is very serious. Only 47 are educated (23%). 78 % of the educated have five years of education. 33.5% (67) of the participants has told about following six problem prevalent in the kiln labour. There is 18.5% wage gap for 23 kilns where women work. It means on average male labourers are paid 18.5% more than female labourers. Each labourer has to work 6.5% more hours than ideal hours by government. 80 % kiln labour is bonded labour. gini is 0.36, 0.38 and 0.52 for small , medium and large kilns. Bigger the kiln size higher the income inequality.

Kiln labour, on the average, work 200-250 days of year. They don  t work on Fridays. 88 % of the labour falls in the age bracket of 19-50 years. Only 19 out of 200 have no any sort of training. Training in this industry is imparted on the job. 33.5% (67) of the participants has told about six health problems prevalent at kiln i.e. heat stroke, stomach pain, kidney stone, digestive system heat, fever and head chakars. Mostly fever and heat stroke are reported. Except for labour union and health insurance all the facilities of shelter, latrine and drinking water were provided. Labour at kiln has been living a pathetic life under heavy burden of peshgi/ advance loan given to them.

Relevant labour (without trolley and cleaning labour) are the ones who make product directly.  are 13,33,82 for small, medium and large kilns. Total actual hours the relavant labour put to make final product at kilns is 9771 hours, 48164 and 128657 hours for small, medium and large kilns respectively. Labour works more than sanctioned standard government time by 8.3%, 6.6% and 1.4% at large , medium and small kilns respectively. The largest annual hours required for production is given by molders i.e. 41567 hours. On the average molders process 825 bricks daily.

On the average 8.5 more males are there per 1 woman working at each of 23 kilns. No any small kiln employ woman as kiln labour. Only 5 medium sized kilns did so. 10.721% of labour force, on average, of the 23 kilns consists of women labour. There will be 4 % loss, on average, if women labour at kiln is not employed.

Highest annual income is that of Jamadaar because he earns commission from other kiln labour(2.28lakhs), second largest income is that of Mistri (1.77 lakhs). Least income is that of chokidaar (1.025 lakhs), then trolley labour (1.021 lakhs). Per brick rupees rate is 1.05, 0.147, 0.144,0.142,0.131, 0.057,0.0518, 0.04,0.04, 0.03, 0.01 and 0.01 rupees for moulder, carrier, stacker, jamadar, nikasi, carrywara, munshi, trolley driver, chokidaar, safaiwara, Jalaiwara and Mistri. Rate per 1000 bricks processed is 10, 10.2, 30, 57, 131, 142, 144, 147 and 1045 rupees for Mistri, Jalaiwara, safaiwara, carry wara, nikasiwara, jamaadar, stackers, carriers, and moulders. Largest amount is given to moulders