Brickmakers in Pakistan's Sheikhupura district are working under extreme heat from both the sun and industrial furnaces [1].
This labor occurs as climate change drives summer temperatures higher, forcing vulnerable workers to risk their health for economic survival [1].
Workers in the Punjab province are tasked with crushing coal into small holes beneath their feet to fire bricks [1]. They face a dual threat of heat: the ambient temperature of the Pakistani summer and the intense heat radiating from the kilns below [1, 2].
Summer temperatures in Pakistan frequently exceed 40 °C [1]. For those in the brickmaking industry, these conditions are compounded by a lack of safety regulations and low pay [1, 2].
Millions of brickmakers are affected by these hazardous conditions across the region [2]. The necessity of income drives these workers to continue labor despite the physical toll of the environment [1, 2].
Local reports said that the combination of high ambient heat and furnace proximity creates a dangerous workplace. The workers continue to operate without significant safety measures, a situation driven by the economic desperation of the labor force [1].
“Workers endure extreme heat from the sun above and furnaces below.”
The situation in Sheikhupura highlights the intersection of climate change and labor exploitation. As global temperatures rise, workers in unregulated industries like brickmaking face increased health risks. The reliance on hazardous manual labor for survival indicates a lack of social safety nets and environmental protections for Pakistan's industrial poor.
