The project is being implemented in the destination states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tripura and the source states of Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand.  

 

The project seeks to usher sustainable change through decent work and green technology in India's brick kilns. In particular, it seeks to increase the capacity of CSOs including human rights groups, labour organisations, child rights organisations, CSOs working on green technology, brick kiln manufacturers associations, workers’ associations and local authorities to perform their roles more effectively to ensure inclusive ‘decent work’ in brick kilns and produce ‘green’ bricks.

 

CEC (India), Prayas (India), Terre des Hommes  (Germany)

 

India is second largest producer of clay-fired bricks in the world employing 15-20 million workers. Kiln workers, mostly dalits and adivasis, migrate as families, work as families against advance received at the time of migration. Workers live in the kilns and work 12-14 hours a day to meet piece-rate targets based on verbal agreements, settled with the male head of households at the end of the season. Child labour is rampant. India’s brick sector, characterized by traditional firing technologies and low mechanization rate, is estimated to consume roughly 35 million tonnes of coal per year. Incomplete combustion of coal and other biomass fuels in brick kilns results in the emissions of fine particulate matter having adverse impact on human health and ecology. Brick kilns in Rajasthan and UP, along the river systems of Indo-gangetic plains destroy top soil, and increase pollution levels in the region including in NCT of Delhi, and brick kilns along River Haora, West Tripura District impact on the air quality of Agartala, capital city of Tripura. The project seeks to build interfaces between  the rights of workers, women, children & and connect them with concerns for environmental protection,  based on the assumption that these are not mutually exclusive concerns. 

The project has been developing the capacities of a wide set of CSOs, to address un-free labour, discrimination, debt bondage and air pollution in India’s brick kilns. In particular, the project has been strengthening the capacities of CSOs in promoting human rights, democracy and social inclusion of Dalits, bonded labour and women who experience discriminatory social norms at work, as a continuation of social exclusionary practices. The project has also been providing training for diversification for work. Through research, the project has been producing valuable information on labour market dynamics, archaic technology, environmental pollution and impact on the health of the workers. The research knowledge is being continuously shared with a wide range of CSOs, local authorities and brick kiln manufacturers, for effective action. The project regularly assists local authorities to take effective steps to end debt bondage, end discrimination, ensure decent work conditions and provide social security for workers in brick kilns.