Pakistan brickmakers scorched by sun above and fire below

Sheikhupura, Pakistan: Brickmakers labor in extreme heat, trapped between scorching sun above and fire below (Aug 11)

Sohail Abbas, a labourer in Pakistan’s Sheikhupura district, described the relentless heat as being "trapped between fire below and, increasingly, above." Workers at traditional kilns endure temperatures over 1,000 degrees Celsius and must constantly monitor the kiln's heat to maintain the necessary conditions.

Abid Hussain, a 35-year-old brickmaker, told AFP that the situation is becoming unbearable as climate change makes summers even hotter in a country already accustomed to temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Despite the extreme conditions, workers have no choice but to continue working due to financial pressures at home.

Pakistan’s construction boom has boosted demand for labourers in the industry, where workers earn around US$3 (RM12.3) per day. The Bonded Labour Liberation Front Pakistan’s General Secretary, Syeda Ghulam Fatima, described brick kilns as "places of confinement," with workers enduring relentless heat from the blazing sun overhead and the intense heat radiating from the kiln beneath them.

Fatima explained that workers remain trapped in a cycle of debt, extreme heat, and deteriorating health, with rising global temperatures amplifying the risks. Sheikhupura is the heart of Pakistan’s massive brick kiln industry, with over 18,000 kilns employing more than a million people.

Health experts warn that prolonged heat exposure at traditional kilns increases brick workers' vulnerability to illnesses, including skin disorders, respiratory problems, and kidney disease. However, extended rest breaks are not feasible, with supervisor Mujeeb Ullah stating that work must continue uninterrupted regardless of weather conditions. Muhammad Azeem, a 28-year-old worker, echoed this sentiment, saying that "work is work, it has to be done," regardless of the weather.