Situation of Brick Klins in eastern UP - A case study of three Brick Klins

Abstract

The article is regarding the development of a project proposal of Purvanchal Gramin Seva Samiti (PGSS), Gorakhpur - a Diocesan partner of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), State Office, Lucknow on interventions in brick kilns of eastern UP. The Ministry of Labour, Government of India has categorized the unorganized labour force under four groups viz. occupation, nature of employment, especially distressed categories & service categories. Workers in brick klins come under the terms of occupation category under the unorganized sector in India (GoI, 2008). The unorganized sector plays a significant role in the economy in terms of employment opportunities & poverty alleviation. The sector has a crucial role in our economy in terms of employment & its contribution to the ‘National Domestic Product (NDP), savings & capital formation. (Vikkraman, P, Basakaran, S, May, 2009). The case study brings out the reality of the workers of brick klins, their vulnerability, social insecurity, potential health risks, migration issues & the hazardous atmosphere that they thrive in their day-to-day lives. Thus, one can gauge the importance of the enactment of various acts related to the unorganized sector, social welfare schemes for this sector & the role of Non-Government Organizations for the welfare of the sector.