!

Trócaire Project Narrative Report Form

1. Introduction

Bonded labour is a complex and multi-dimensional social phenomenon. It is deep rooted in the social, economic and political milieu. Bonded labour is a critical concern in Pakistan because it perpetuates poverty and hampers economic growth by undermining labour productivity and human development. Several research studies have shown that extreme poor families are vulnerable to debt-bondage and can be caught in a vicious cycle of social and economic obligations that prevent them from benefiting from macro-economic growth.

Bonded labour exists in various trades but brick kiln industry is one among those trades where bonded labour is prevalent and huge pool of work force is vulnerable to debt bondage. According to estimate of Bonded Labour Liberation Front Pakistan more than 4.5 million workers are subject to bonded labour at 25000 brick kilns across Pakistan. Bonded labour has a sordid history in Pakistan brick kiln industry. Even though bonded labour was

Programme Title and Code:

Project Title: Realizing Rights for Bonded Labourers at Brick Kilns

Project Number:

Partner Name: Bonded Labour Liberation Front Pakistan

Project Location: District Sheikhupura

Project Duration: Thirteen Months

Period covered by this report:

12 Months

Funding received during the reporting period (in PKR)

PKR 93, 59,598

1

declared illegal 25 years ago, the practice remains impervious to most reform initiatives that have been introduced so far. Predominantly workers are bounded in brick kiln industry just due to debt, workers take advance “debt” from employer owing to non- implementation of minimum wage and meet basic daily needs. Sometime employers use advance debts as a tactics to trap workers into the system of debt bondage. Once a worker takes advance then he cannot get rid from it and debt mounts day by day despite arduous work to repay. Moreover, one worker takes advance but whole family is pledged to repay and it transfers from one generation. The vicious cycle of bondage subjugates the families physically and economically and they cannot break it. On the other hand, state efforts are not sufficient to bring workers out from quagmire of debt bondage. Therefore, brick kiln workers are largely deprived of their legal entitlements and welfare projects and forced to work in unhealthy & unsafe environments, harsh working conditions of toiling from 3 am to 8pm in the evening and exploitative living conditions. Kiln workers are not free to move from there at will even they are not allowed to join or form any union. These all things contribute to keep workers bonded at brick kilns and push them in extreme poverty. The issue of bonded labour has many socioeconomic implications and its solution lies in a multipronged strategy, economic uplift, social involvement and educational breakthrough of the bonded families.

To leave a dent on bonded labour system and to improve working conditions at brick kilns, in district Sheikhupura, BLLF lunched the project Titled realizing rights of bonded labour at brick kilns with funding support from Trocaire. Under this project BLLF has adopted a multidimensional approaches as per seriousness of the issue, adult literacy program for workers to make them literate, advocacy to ensure workers access to legal entitlements and social protection services, awareness raising among workers about their rights and duties to make them active citizen, registration of workers with key government agencies like NADRA, PESSI, Khidmat Card, unionization of the workers, activation of district vigilance committee, providing legal aid, sensitization of legislatures to ensure compliance on enacted legislations, highlighting the issue at national level to seek proper attention of influential peoples in this regard. Almost all issues of bonded labourers has been covered in this project and total targeted beneficiaries are 2500 including male, female, youth. Overall goal of this project is to respect and protect labour rights which are violating at large level.

2. Context update

According to budget of 2017, wages of brick kiln workers have revised and pathair rate is Rs. 1110 against 1000 raw bricks decided by minimum wages board Punjab. District Vigilance Committees has been re-notified in all districts of Punjab as well as Sheikhupura and now its meetings are being organized regularly under chair of Deputy Commissioner. Bonded Labour Liberation Front Pakistan is member of re-notified District Vigilance Committee of district Sheikhupura. At the time of inception of this project provision of khidmat cards for free education was limited only for the children enlisted in the survey by Urban Unit Punjab. According to this survey 99% children of project area were not listed for the provision of khidmat card. Due to this project intervention Punjab Government has reviewed its criteria for the provision of khidmat card for free education of brick kiln workers children. Consequently children either enlisted or not have been provided khidmat card for free education. A total of 198 khidmat cards have been delivered to the brick kiln workers of project area. Integrated project schools have been shut down in target district Sheikhupura which initiated by Punjab government and there is no update for revival of those schools. In view of overwhelming smog in Punjab, Environment Protection Department Punjab has introduced a zigzag technology of brick kiln oven. This technology is environment friendly (zero Carbon) as well as cheap in comparison with vertical shaft chimney. The pilot brick kiln with zigzag technology has been tested successfully in Lahore. Government with the support of IMF is planning to convert traditional brick kilns into zigzag oven.

2

3. Progress against project results

Outcome 1: Bonded labourers are empowered to exercise their rights

During the reporting period, 36 interactive sessions for rights awareness has been organized in target cluster and 1944 workers participation has been recorded. In these sessions staff has sensitized workers through lectures, discussions, documentary screening and resource material produced in local language on the topics including advances “peshgi”, minimum wages, socio economic conditions of brick kiln workers, social security benefits, EOBI, Workers Welfare Board, Child Protection, importance of unionization, Women Protection and existing Labour Laws of the state. As result of this activity, target beneficiaries are aware about key issues and also vocal about their due rights and a number of actions workers have taken to accomplish rights. Workers are taking actions to exercise their rights like joint negotiation with their employer for social security card and minimum wage, visited labour department for khidmat cards and proactive for enrolment of children in the schools and registration for birth certificates, accessed NADRA for CNIC, s and form (B) by themselves. Worth mention here that 100% targeted population had no knowledge about khidmat card, social security card, workers welfare board and its benefits, according to base line survey. Similarly 100 % target population had no knowledge about labour, human and constitutional laws.

For unionization of the workers, a cluster union has been established in target area. Workers are motivated for the affiliation of union with existing federation of brick kiln workers. This project has facilitated four exposure visits for the capacity building of cluster union member. During these visits duty bearers have been found curious about 1

importance of union and its role for the protection of labour rights.

Another major component of this project is adult literacy centre which have facilitated more than 148 brick kiln workers to get educations. Two batches have been entertained during first year and first batch was comprised of 79 (28 male and 51 female) and second badge was of 69 adult learners (31 male and female 39). As result of it, 148 adult learners have been successfully provided with the basic knowledge of math, English and Urdu. Now these students are enabling to maintain records of their daily production and wage accordingly.

Moreover 18 radio programs have been aired to sensitize all stake holders about the issues of bonded labour its causes and possible solutions. In addition to this, programs were interactive through lives calls of brick kiln workers on work place issues. Facilitated workers to celebrate international labour related days (International Labour Day & Anti-Slavery Day) and organized a seminar and staged two massive rallies in Lahore. Rallies honoured by parliamentarians, government officials, CSOs’ trade unions, media, bar association and brick kiln workers through participation. In said seminar, participants highlighted issue of bonded labour and stressed for the need of nationwide labour reforms. As result of these activities, Chief Minister Punjab asked BLLF for the recommendations to abolish bonded labour from province. BLLF has submitted comprehensive recommendations for eradication of forced labour from Punjab brick kiln industry and is waiting for its outcome.

Outcome 2: Bonded labourers are accessing social protection instruments. i. Registration with NADRA: According to base line survey 66% target population was without CNIC. In the

year one, this project has targeted registration of 1000 brick kiln workers for CNIC. In year one this project has facilitated 667 brick kiln workers (358 males & 309 females) to access national identity card. In view of election 2018 appointment of MRV NADRA posed a challenge to this project. Most of the time MRV in project district was found busy with parliamentarians to register their voter members for CNIC.

ii. Registration with PESSI: Project team has adopted multidimensional approach to register brick kiln workers with Punjab employees’ social security institution. Throughout year I, 7 meetings have been organized with Punjab employees social security institution and brick kiln owners to ensure provision of

Millat Tractor Workers Union, All Pakistan trade unions Federation, All Pakistan United Trade Unions Federation and Brick Kiln Workers Federation Punjab1

3

PESSI cards to brick kiln workers. As result of it, four cards have successfully been issued to workers of Usman Bricks & Company while 100 forms of brick kiln workers have successfully been completed with child birth registration certificates. Further these forms are in process to get attestation from employer and medical certificates from medical officer, Social Security hospital. It is worth mentioning that project has completed the prerequisite documents for social security cards and it is hoped that during the second year, project would meet its targeted of social security cards (150).

iii. Khidmat Cards: At the time of inception of this project, provision of khidmat cards for free education was limited only for the children enlisted in the survey by Urban Unit Punjab. According to this survey 99% children of project area were not listed for the provision of khidmat card. Due to this project intervention Punjab Government has reviewed its criteria for the provision of khidmat card for free education of brick kiln workers children. Consequently children either enlisted or not have been provided khidmat card for free education. Total 273 brick kiln workers facilitated to access khidmat cards. A total of 198 khidmat cards have been delivered to the brick kiln workers of project area and 75 cards under process. Total 471 children of targeted cluster covered under applied khidmat cards. Worth mention here that one Khidmat card will cover all children of a worker who reported during the survey. Release of Bonded Labourers: Twenty-seven families of brick kiln workers under debt bondage were at risk and with project intervention they have been provided with the legal aid and emergency support. Consequently, BLLF has rescued 20 families comprising 115 members with legal aid and emergency support. While 1 family under the threat of local police refused to speak before court for its illegal detention and debt bondage at the brick kiln. While police have forced 2 families for out of court settlement with brick kiln owners. This project has also provided income support and emergency accommodation to released workers. This activity also had a component of rehabilitation of the released workers. During the year I of project, BLLF has entertained 20 cases. But only 4 families have agreed for small scale business. Two out of these four families are doing business of fruit and vegetable vendors. One family has been provided with stitching apparatus and successfully doing private tailor services. One of released families, Bashir family did not have any household and requested to utilize rehabilitation budget for household items. This family initially preferred to work on brick kiln to run the life but after learning some alternate skill he will move in other business. Project has also arranged a rented home and basics households for Bashir and his family. Instead, alternate business, 11 families preferred to go back to their native village, 3 families found jobs in factories and meson work. Released families are happy, working to improve lives, and independent to work freely. In addition to above all too little amount of Rehabilitation also posed a challenge for a sustainable small scale business.

4

Outcome 3: Government response to bonded labourers is strengthened.

At the time of inception of the project, District Vigilance Committee was de-notified for since 2015 due to adoption of local government system by Punjab government. After intervention of this project, district vigilance committee District Sheikhupura has been re-notified in January 2018. Worth mention here that BLLF Pakistan is notified member of DVC in district Sheikhupura. After getting status of DVC notified member of BLLF will use this platform too, to address core issues of bonded labourers and empowerment of its subjects as well. Because this is right forum provided under bonded labour system abolition act 2012.

Beside it during reporting period BLLF organized six activities for capacity building of DVC members and result of it 11 times NADRA deputed MRV to BLLF for processing of CNICs’ of brick kiln workers. BLLF Pakistan facilitated more than 667 brick kiln workers and 424 CNICs have been delivered.

Moreover, under integrated project of Gov. Punjab the children of project cluster could not be surveyed for provision of “Khidmat Cards” for free education. When BLLF brought this issue in labour department it encouraged BLLF and accepted 273 applications of children for Khidmat Cards. 198 Khidmat cards have been issued to target beneficiaries of BLLF Pakistan and 75 are in process.

Access to social security card is very difficult for brick kiln workers. To accomplish this target, BLLF organized 7 meetings with social security department and sensitized them to bring brick kiln workers in social security net. As well as four intensive meetings have been organized with brick kiln owners to realize the importance of social security cards for workers. In response, four cards have been issued to brick kiln workers so far and 100 more are in process which will be delivered soon after completion of minimum requirements. Worth mention here that project team approached secretary labour and commissioner PESSI to intervene in this matter. As per directions of commissioner PESSI directorate, Sheikhupura has also issued notice to brick kiln owners of target cluster who were found reluctant to process workers cards.

In addition to this, a number of brick kiln workers children were not registered with local government and children were deprived from birth registration certificates. It is prerequisite for registration with NADRA and social security institution as well. With the intervention of project, 110 brick kiln workers facilitated to register their children with local government institutions. Now they can access to birth registration certificates easily.

According to activity No 3.3, project has realized 13 meetings with various members of provincial assembly and sensitized them for proactive measures in favour of bonded labourers. Consequently, parliamentarians raised questions on floor of Punjab assembly on various issues including non-compliance of minimum wages, social security card, and integrated project, implementation of labour laws, violence and fake cases against brick kiln workers. As well as they also demanded exclusion of contradictory articles from the prohibition of child labour at brick kilns act 2016. They have also purposed amendment in payment of wages act to ensure minimum wages. In addition to this, parliamentarians also joined BLLF in individual meetings to resolve issue of PESSI card. BLLF has also sent a letter to national vocational and technical training commission with the recommendations of parliamentarians for alternate skill development of brick kiln workers. Beside it a letter has also written to Prime Minister Pakistan with the recommendations of parliamentarians for ratification of ILO protocol convention 2014 to forced labour convention 29. This protocol legally binds government for the release and rehabilitation of the victims of bonded labourer.

4. Activities update.

5

K e y a c t i v i t i e s planned

Deviations from planned activities

(What activities did not take place or what unplanned activities took place)

Reasons for these changes

A c h i e v e d outputs

Participating beneficiaries

Direct Indirect

Men Women Men Women

I n t e r a c t i v e s e s s i o n f o r r i g h t s awareness

36 1010 934

A d u l t l i t e r a c y program for brick kiln workers

Two batches completed

59 90

T h e a t r e performance for rights awareness

11 488 516

E x p o s e r v i s i t e x e c u t i v e m e m b e r s o f cluster union

04 103 69

Registration of cluster as union

Cluster union established and BLLF has applied for registration with labour department. Soon will get cert i f icate f rom labour department.

01 11 10

Radio Program 18

Press Conference 01 15 5

Labour day rally 01 300 200

Anti-Slavery Day Seminar and Rally

01 371 177

Registration of w o r k e r s w i t h NADRA

11 358 309

M e e t i n g w i t h PESSI for social security card

07 96 52

Legal aid through emergency fund

20

Capacity building o f d i s t r i c t v i g i l a n c e c o m m i t t e e members

6 100 39

M e e t i n g w i t h parliamentarians of project district (provincial and national)

13 179 95

6

5. Summary of the key achievements (Quantitative and Qualitative both)

1) Through interactive sessions and theatre performances, 1944 brick kiln workers from targeted cluster are aware about their due labour rights and legal entitlements including CNICs’ birth registration certificate, social security card, EOBI, Khidmat Card, Social Welfare fund, education, health, DVC, international labour standards and women rights.

2) Throughout year, 149 adult students have been educated under adult literacy program

3) To access national identity cards, BLLF facilitated 667 brick kiln workers and 424 successfully applied for it.

4) With project intervention four workers have received social security cards so far and 100 social security cards of brick kiln workers are in process and will deliver soon

5) During reporting period, 273 Khidmat cards have been applied which will be covered 471 children. 198 cards have been delivered so far and 75 in process

6) Project facilitated 110 brick kiln workers in registration of their 247 children with local government to access birth registration certificates

7) 20 families have been provided legal aid and emergency support for survival

8) With project intervention, District vigilance committee Sheikhupura has been re-notified and BLLF’s has its representation in DVC.

9) Parliamentarians raised questions in assembly on non-compliance of minimum wages at brick kiln, non-provision of social security card, performance of integrated project, and proposed amendments for payment of wages act 1936 and the prohibition of child labour act 2016. Beside it they played an important role to sensitize secretary labour and commissioner PESSI to resolve matter of dues recovery from employer.

10) 1 cluster union of ten targeted brick kilns has established which comprising off 21 members. Further registration of cluster union is in process.

• How did the project contribute to promoting gender equality at programme level?

A district level social dialogue o n i s s u e o f bonded labour

13 318 104

Khidmat Card for B r i c k k i l n Workers Children

Khidmat card was not targeted directly in proposed activities of project. but BLLF applied for 273 cards in labour department as per requirement of Trócaire. 198 cards have been delivered and other 75 in process.

273 257 16

7

Through interactive session, radio program and theatre performance, target population has been sensitized for the recognition and role of women work equal to men in brick kiln industry. In these activities project staff stressed that brick production is not a family work. Women must be paid for the work they do. In interactive sessions target population has also been sensitized for the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2015.In radio programs staff has also projected the specific work place issues of women workers like sexual harassment, maternity and periodic leave, provision of toilets for female at workplace. In a theatre performance also focused upon the women union members. Under project “Realizing Rights for Bonded Labourers at Brick Kilns” BLLF provided equal opportunity to male and female candidates without any gender discrimination regarding becoming part of BLLF to implement Trócaire funded project. Beside it, BLLF emphasize on gender equality and it reflects in program activities at every level.

6. Challenges

To engage a qualified social mobilizer and teacher to work in the remote village was bit challenging. However, BLLF requested its senior members from project district for services. Moreover, available teachers in the project area were not skilled for adult literacy. BLLF organized training for the capacity building of teachers for adult education. Mobility of field staff also posed a challenge. To cope this BLLF helped social mobilizer with soft loan for bike and facilitated for the fuel. Non availability of equipped office in the project cluster created lot of problems. For example, there was no internet, fans and electricity back up. BLLF provided fans with its own resources but without internet staff have to rely on weekly reporting. Staff also felt poor for Result Base Management. BLLF management tried its best to cope with this problem in view of its experience. Still BLLF feels the need of some sort of training for RBM and requests Trócaire for such training.

7. Lessons learned

Adult learners face a psychological barrier to get education. We learned that for adult education, flexible time table is the basic requirement. BLLF managed flexible timings for adult learners to avoid any loss of their work or social life. Consequently, we ensured 95 % attendance even during the peak season of brick production. Moreover, during the year I BLLF has observed a kind of mistrust between bonded labourers and public institutes. Revival of workers’ trust upon government departments can be a cost effecting tool to address the issue of bonded labour. So, in year II we need to develop a linkage between workers and duty bearers. Furthermore, brick kiln owners of the target cluster are not sensitized about the role of brick kiln industry in the country’s total economic growth. They are unaware about the impact of right’s violation upon the international trade agreements with Pakistan. Liaison with labour department can contribute a lot to project success. For example, deputation of MRV was not less than a challenge for project team to process brick kiln workers’ national identity cards. BLLF raised this issue in DVC meeting and with intervention of labour department, NADRA deputed MRV to BLLF. In the same manner coordination with labour and education department helped project staff for the provision of Khidmat cards for free education of workers’ children. The role of facilitation committee to process social security card has taught us that involvement of local civil society organizations, trade unionists, and media and bar association is cost effecting instrument to address the issue of bonded labour.

8. Innovation Partner’s conference in November 2017 proved innovative in respect of following:

• BLLF has learned how other partners are contributing for the eradication of bonded labour like ‘community policing’ by ROZAN.

8

• In this conference, in put by Trócaire via menti.com developed the capacity of BLLF staff for finance management.

9. Proposed changes

Education program under project, ‘realizing rights of bonded labourers’ had greater impact if it had targeted children (age barred students, in between age of 10 to 14) more than adults. Because during project implementation, children of brick kiln workers, whose ages to get admission in school has passed, are found more motivated to get education. While adults above the age of 40 have proved slow learners. During the next session BLLF is planning to target age barred students more than adults, above 40 years’ age.

Moreover, project should have some sort of trainings for BK owners to sensitize them about the role of brick kiln industry in countries’ total economic growth and its access to government’s welfare projects. They should also be taught the benefits of respect for labour rights at international level.

10. Organisational level update. 

11. Programme coordination and Advocacy

During this reporting period, BLLF have conceived and secure good reputation in the cluster and concerned CSOs and key stakeholders. Through which the achievements of the project objectives are in progress and will get more facilitations during time, coordination with the partners is satisfactory too.

Cooperation from the Trócaire for the smooth operation of the project is remarkable and through good guidance in project made project progressive, especially Trócaire – Country Director’s meeting with the DCO Sheikhupura and to meet with the members of DVC create a strong impact. In addition to this organization has advocacy plan for local CSO, s Tus. In this regard during first reporting period a network of CSOs have been established. In second reporting period BLLF would involve this network proactively for realization of rights of bonded labourers at brick kilns through advocacy trainings. The basic goal of this advocacy is to establish a district level strong network of CSO’s to address the issues of bonded labor even after the completion of this project.

12. Finances

Organization has used 91% of total budget of year I. The 9% underspend budget is firstly, because of third party involvement on the part of government for the registration of workers with NADRA. Secondly, cases of legal aid are not under control of implementing organization and depend upon the circumstances. In year II, BLLF has proposed budget for above mentioned actives in accordance with the above mentioned challenges

14. Action Plan

9

• Please outline your scheduled action plan for the next reporting period, explaining any proposed deviations from the original project plan and/or new initiatives, if there are any.

To meet project targets, action plan for year II is same as of year I. However, In view of the year I of project Implementation following new activities has been included in the year II.

• Linkage building meetings between workers and duty bearers • Orientation of brick Kiln owners on Fair Labor Practices • Occupational Safety and Health Training • Training on Child Protection • Facilitation for Child Birth Certificate

• Describe the areas where you can coordinate and cooperate with other programme partners to benefit the programme quality during the next plan?

15. Case studies, research, videos, photos, etc.

• Please provide two case studies demonstrating the impact of the project on the lives of

(a) a single individual/ family and

(b) the greater community.

(N.B. Please refer to the guidelines on preparation of stories of change attached below as Annex One and ensure that the examples provided meet the required criteria.).

• Attach any relevant document produced during the reporting period (e.g. research paper, training report, technical study,)

• Please attach (quality) photo-documentation that can be used for the promotional purposes on your project.

Case Study-1

Provision of Khidmat Card for Free Education to Brick Kiln Worker Children

During the first quarter of project implementation staff sensitized target population for the importance of education to address poverty and consequently bonded labour. Majority of workers of project district claimed that despite work from dawn to dusk we cannot afford education expense. More over target population was unaware about the Khidmat card, for free education. It is an ATM card for the monthly stipend of PKR 1000 per child For free education of children government of Punjab has launched an integrated project for the Abolition of Bonded and Child Labor at Brick Kilns in 2014. Unfortunately, because of blunders by the survey teams, children of project cluster were deprived

10

from the benefits of this project. In this regard project staff enlisted the out of school children of project area and tabled this issue in the very first social dialogue with BK owner, labour department and coordinator integrated project Sheikhupura. In this meeting secretary, general BK owners’ association took the responsibility to enrol these children in formal schools but after meeting he did not pay any attention. However, labour department Sheikhupura was in liaison with project team. Throughout the year I, staff has facilitated 273 applications for Khidmat cards. By the end of year, I 471 out of school children are getting PKR 1000 monthly stipend[1] for free education under the Integrated Project of Gov. of Punjab for the Abolition of Bonded Labor and Child Labor. Provision of the Khidmat cards is one of the successes of this project intervention. Now 273 families and 471 children of target population are getting monthly PKR.1000/- per child. The story of one such family is being discussed below.

Figure 1: Hanook Messiah with his family

Hankook Messiah is brick kiln worker. He works at Sahota Bricks Chapa Minara, Sheikhupura. He has five children (kalash 11 year old, Sawera 9 year old, Shanza 7 year old, Kasaiyn 6 year old & Braain 5 year old. He had an ardent desire to literate his children as much as he could afford. But because of poverty he was unable to send his children school. He and his wife tried their best to afford the education expense of their children but in vain. [ It was quite painful for me to see my kids wandering aimlessly in the streets when me and my wife used to go work. with my income it hard even to meet bread and butter. what to say about education. ] In June 2017, with the facilitation of BLLF, Hanooq applied for the Khidmat card for free education by government of Punjab. After two months he got a Khidmat card (a kind of ATM card provided by Govt.) . With this card he is getting 2

PKR.5000 per month (PKR 1000 for each child). In addition to this in the first month he got enrolment fee of PKR1000 per child too. Now he is happy to see his children in school. He is also motivated for education of his wife as much as she could manage with her household and work. [.....mam i wish some kind of work for my wife at home so that she could keep an eye on children activities. I want my wife just to take care for the standard brought up of my kids. But it is not possible for me]

Khidmat card is issued to the family head and his all children are registered in one card. Worth mention here that one Khidmat card covers all children of a 2

worker.

11

Story of Change-2

Social protection for brick kiln worker

Majority of target population take advance debt to fulfil their basic human and social needs like marriage, death, and sickness which leads them toward debt bondage and workers remain bonded for generations. To address the issue of bonded labour, workers’ enrolment with Punjab Employees Social Security Institution (PESSI) is a cost effecting tool and vital component of above mentioned project. It facilitates workers to access marriage grant, death grant, free medical and education. Under the Punjab Provincial Employees Social Security Ordinance 1965, it is mandatory for every industry to register all its workers with PESSI. It is obligatory for every industry and establishment that is registered under factory act 1934 to secure workers. But unfortunately brick kiln workers of project area are still waiting to get secure themselves with it. Keeping in view the above mentioned importance this project intervention facilitated seven meetings with social security department and sensitized them to bring brick kiln workers in social security net. As well as four intensive meetings have been realized with brick kiln owners to realize them the importance of social security cards for workers. Project team has also approached secretary labour and commissioner PESSI to intervene in this matter. As per directions of commissioner PESSI directorate Sheikhupura issued challans to brick kiln owners of target cluster who were found reluctant to process workers cards. In the response to all above mentioned efforts, four workers from target brick kilns have been registered with PESSI. The story of one of card bearer Mrs. Shamim is discussed here. Although, Shamim Bibi W/O Maqsood Messiah a women worker. She moulds bricks at Rana Usman Bricks Chapa Minara Jandyyala Share Kahn Road district Sheikhupura. She has seven grown up children (4 boys and 3 girls). She was too much worried for the marriage expense of her daughters. [ …. mam you advise us to avoid advance debts but where to go for the expenses like marriage, death, birth, or medical. We poor do not earn enough to save for the times of need. With these wages we hardly meet basic needs of life. I have three daughters. I must need nominal expense of girl marriage up to one lack for refreshment of guests.] Project staff sensitized her for the importance of social security card to avoid advance/debt. After number of sessions on social security card she showed her determination to struggle for social protection. She convinced her employer to deposit her contribution and for prerequisite documents. After secured with social security cards Mrs Shamim is happy. Now she can get marriage grant PKR.110000 from workers’ welfare Fund for one girl. Currently she is also getting free medical from social security institution. She is also a source of inspiration for fellow workers for convincing their employers for social protection. […. sir I am feeling myself with light mind and heart. It seems to me that someone have shed a burden from my head. Now I am feeling myself stronger than before. ….. I promise to convince my employer to register my fellow workers with PESSI too.]

12

Figure 2: Shamiam Bibi with her family

13