Brick Kiln Worker Baba Mansha - Bonded Labor - Punjab, Pakistan
Bonded Labour in Pakistan from Amir Khan on Vimeo.
Bonded labour is modern day slavery that still exists in Pakistan, despite living in 21st century, the society and state is unable to eliminate this form of practice. The workers are forced to work in the worst conditions with minimal and no basic facilities at all. Their children ended up being working in brick kilns and spend the same life as of their parents. Despite the Bonded Labour Abolition Act 1992 and 1995, still people are working under bondage.
Ten years ago Supreme Court declared it unlawful and initiated the first step in abolishing it. Then finally National assembly formally passed the law, which prohibited this hideous practice and safe guard the rights of the brick kilns workers. But looking at the current situation, the implementation of this law is not seen anywhere, since great number of people are working under bondage.
All the hopes of workers were shattered when this law was not properly implemented, since number of workers gave up their jobs, but later ending up doing the same tasks and returning to the same brick kiln owners. Currently their financially position is the same which was ten years ago.
This documentary is about the story of brick kiln worker Baba Mansha and the injustice he had to bear; still he is struggling to provide basic necessities to his children. Mansha, a widower and only one to take care of his children was kept in prison for one and half months just because he stood for his rights. The government officially announced the daily wage of rupees 517 but brick kiln owners only pay 300 to 400. If the worker stands against them, then they are either kidnapped or murdered. In ninety percent cases the police has been bribed and they defend the owners. Similarly same is the case with Mansha; he was kidnapped, beaten and then given in the police station to rot in worse condition.
Ten years ago Supreme Court declared it unlawful and initiated the first step in abolishing it. Then finally National assembly formally passed the law, which prohibited this hideous practice and safe guard the rights of the brick kilns workers. But looking at the current situation, the implementation of this law is not seen anywhere, since great number of people are working under bondage.
All the hopes of workers were shattered when this law was not properly implemented, since number of workers gave up their jobs, but later ending up doing the same tasks and returning to the same brick kiln owners. Currently their financially position is the same which was ten years ago.
This documentary is about the story of brick kiln worker Baba Mansha and the injustice he had to bear; still he is struggling to provide basic necessities to his children. Mansha, a widower and only one to take care of his children was kept in prison for one and half months just because he stood for his rights. The government officially announced the daily wage of rupees 517 but brick kiln owners only pay 300 to 400. If the worker stands against them, then they are either kidnapped or murdered. In ninety percent cases the police has been bribed and they defend the owners. Similarly same is the case with Mansha; he was kidnapped, beaten and then given in the police station to rot in worse condition.