Number of child workers in Nangarhar brick kilns decreases

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): The number of children working in brick kilns has decreased in eastern Nangarhar province, says the Labor and Social Affairs Department.

Previously 130 brick kilns were operational in Nangarhar, but due to insecurity in the previous years, waves of coronavirus and the political change in 2021, half of the kilns were closed.

Brick kilns unions’ members say currently only 50 kilns are active in Batikot and Surkhrud districts and thousands of people are busy working there.

Saleem Ahmadzai, head of the brick kilns union, told Pajhwok: “At least 50 families work in each kiln, so 50 brick kilns have provided thousands of people the opportunity to earn a living.”

According to him, the number of children working in brick kilns has decreased compared to the past.

Shah Alam Khan, 60, who has been working in kilns for nearly 40 years, told Pajhwok that he was tired of his job, but could not leave it.

He said he tried his best to educate his children, but due to poverty, his two sons also worked in brick kilns.

According to information, brick kiln workers are paid very low wages --- only 350 afghanis for making 1,000 bricks.

Ashrafullah, another worker, told Pajhwok two groups worked in each kiln --- one makes raw bricks and the other bakes them.

“Brick bakers work 24 hours, fresh bricks are placed at one place and fire is on another place, bricks are removed from another place. It is very hard work. We work in two or three groups; each group works for eight hours."

Maulvi Faridullah Haqqani, director of labor and social affairs of Nangarhar, told Pajhwok that the number of children engaged in hard work in kilns had reduced compared to the past and efforts were being made to decrease them to zero.

He added: “We mostly support their families; We have provided financial support to families to save their children from hazardous work and send them to school. This past week, we gave cash assistance to fifty families, and in the future, we have programs to help them. We will reduce the number of children to zero.”

sa/ma