Brick kiln owners ignore workers welfare, draw ire

Karimnagar: District Collector Neetu Kumari Prasad expressed ire at brick kiln owners for not providing basic facilities for the labourers working in their kilns. She also expressed resentment at the labour department officials for not taking measures to protect the interests of the migrant workers.

The Collector on Tuesday visited some of the brick kilns here at Peddapalli and inspected the facilities being provided to labourers. She also inspected the schools being run by NGOs for the children of migrant labourers on the premises of kilns. She felt unhappy over the facilities being provided to labourers by the owners.

In the wake of recent attacks on workers by owners, the district administration had strictly warned of cancelling the brick kiln licence if they failed to construct 10 x10 house with bathroom and toilet for each family, besides arranging safe drinking water and setting up schools for the children of labourers.

Speaking to reporters after visiting brick units, the Collector said that there was no change in the attitude of owners of brick kilns and that the workers were still living in bad conditions. Houses set up for labourers were not in a position to stay and child labour schools were under the control of owners.

Neetu Prasad assured to take steps so that the children of the labourers are admitted in Anganwadi centres under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan scheme from the next academic year and provide mid day meal. She also assured to take measures for paying salaries to workers through bank accounts and putting an end to advance system. Health camps would also be organised every week, he said.