Sardar Mushtaq Gill, Human Rights Defender and Lawyer, Founder and International Advocacy Director of LEAD Ministries, welcomes the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights' attention to bonded labour in Pakistan and calls for an independent international investigation into the health, life expectancy, working conditions and living standards of brick kiln workers and their families. He also pays tribute to human rights defenders, organisations and individuals working to secure the freedom, rehabilitation, education, empowerment and dignity of bonded labourers.
The Committee concluded its review on 4 November 2026, raising questions about bonded labour and other economic, social and cultural rights concerns in Pakistan.
By
Sardar Mushtaq Gill | Human Rights Defender & Lawyer | Founder &
International Advocacy Director, LEAD Ministries
Geneva/Islamabad: Sardar Mushtaq Gill, Human Rights
Defender and Lawyer, Founder and International Advocacy Director of LEAD
Ministries, has welcomed the attention given to bonded labour in Pakistan by
the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights during its
review of Pakistan’s second periodic report under the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Gill described the Committee’s attention to this issue as an important and timely step towards exposing the continuing exploitation of vulnerable workers, particularly Christian families who constitute a significant proportion of those trapped in Pakistan’s brick kiln industry.
He
expressed serious concern over the harsh and inhumane conditions endured by
bonded labourers, many of whom work long hours for extremely low wages that are
insufficient to meet even their families’ basic food and nutritional needs.
Despite their exhausting labour, countless workers remain trapped in poverty,
debt and exploitation, with little opportunity to secure a dignified life.
He
also highlighted the plight of children who accompany their parents to brick
kilns and grow up amid hardship, deprivation and exploitation. Instead of
attending school and enjoying their childhood, many are exposed to hazardous
working environments and denied access to education. Consequently, poverty and
illiteracy continue to pass from one generation to the next, perpetuating a
devastating cycle of generational slavery.
“Bonded
labour is not merely an issue of poverty; it is a serious violation of human
dignity, fundamental freedoms and human rights. No family should be forced to
live in slavery because of debt, poverty, religion or social circumstances.
Children deserve classrooms, not brick kilns, and every worker deserves fair
wages, safe working conditions and the freedom to live with dignity,” Gill
stated.
Urgent
Appeal for an International Investigation into Brick Kiln Workers’ Health and
Life Expectancy
Gill
made an urgent appeal to international institutions, particularly the United
Nations Office at Geneva, UN human rights mechanisms, the World Health
Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and relevant
international research institutions, to initiate an independent, comprehensive
and scientifically grounded investigation into the living conditions, health
status, disease burden and life expectancy of brick kiln workers and their
families in Pakistan.
He
stressed the importance of determining whether brick kiln workers experience a
lower average life expectancy than the general population because of prolonged
exposure to hazardous working environments, air pollution, extreme
temperatures, malnutrition, inadequate healthcare and exhausting physical
labour.
He
further called for particular attention to their vulnerability to respiratory
diseases, chronic illnesses, skin conditions, musculoskeletal disorders and
other occupational health problems. Existing scientific research has documented
serious health concerns among Pakistani brick kiln workers, underlining the
need for more extensive investigations.
The
proposed study, he emphasised, should examine premature deaths, long-term
occupational diseases and the particular impact of these conditions on women
and children.
“The
world must know how long these workers live, what diseases they suffer from,
how frequently they become victims of preventable illnesses, and how many years
of their lives are lost to exploitation, poverty and hazardous working
conditions.
“I
urgently appeal to the United Nations and international research institutions
to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the average life expectancy,
mortality rates, disease patterns and healthcare conditions of brick kiln
workers and compare these findings with those of the wider Pakistani
population.
“These
workers must not remain invisible in national and international health
statistics. Their suffering deserves serious scientific investigation,
international attention and practical action. We cannot continue to ignore the
health and lives of people who spend their entire lives working in dangerous
conditions simply to provide food for their families,” Gill stated.
He
urged international institutions to ensure that the proposed investigation
includes independent field visits, medical examinations, interviews with
workers and their families, occupational health assessments, and research into
child labour, malnutrition, maternal health and access to medical facilities.
Appreciation
for Human Rights Defenders and Organisations Working to End Bonded Labour
Gill
expressed his heartfelt appreciation to human rights defenders, civil society
organisations, activists, humanitarian workers and individuals who are working
tirelessly to identify, support and secure the release of bonded labourers from
brick kilns.
He
acknowledged the dedication and sacrifices of those who visit brick kiln
communities, raise the voices of affected families, provide legal assistance
and work towards securing freedom for people trapped in forced and bonded
labour.
He
particularly appreciated those whose efforts extend beyond securing the release
of bonded labourers to include rehabilitation, education, healthcare,
empowerment, economic independence and sustainable development.
Gill
emphasised that rescuing families from bonded labour is an essential
humanitarian achievement, but freedom must be accompanied by meaningful
rehabilitation, educational opportunities, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods
and long-term protection against further exploitation.
Every
effort to liberate a family from bonded labour, he noted, represents an
investment in human dignity and an important step towards breaking the cycle of
generational slavery.
Call
for Government Action and International Accountability
Gill
urged the Government of Pakistan to move beyond legislative commitments and
take concrete measures to eradicate bonded labour. These measures must include
the effective implementation of existing laws, prosecution of those responsible
for exploitation, fair wages, comprehensive rehabilitation and free and
accessible education for the children of brick kiln workers.
He
also called upon the international community and United Nations human rights
mechanisms to maintain sustained attention to the situation of bonded labourers
in Pakistan and press for effective accountability, institutional reforms and
lasting protection for affected communities.
“Ending
bonded labour requires more than releasing individual families from brick
kilns. It demands a comprehensive approach that addresses poverty, illiteracy,
discrimination and economic exploitation. Every released family must receive
protection, education, livelihood opportunities and the support necessary to
rebuild their lives. Freedom must become permanent, not temporary,” Gill
emphasised.
He
concluded by welcoming the Committee’s attention to this critical human rights
concern and expressing hope that its observations and recommendations would
encourage meaningful government action to eradicate bonded labour and protect
the rights, dignity, health and future of vulnerable communities in Pakistan.
Gill
reiterated that the struggle against bonded labour must not end with
discussions, statements or international reviews. It must translate into the
freedom of exploited families, the protection of children, access to education
and healthcare, and a future in which no human being is forced to sacrifice
their dignity, health and life simply to survive.
