Pakistan’s brick kiln industry employs millions of workers, but behind its walls lies a world of exploitation, poverty, and modern-day slavery. Many of the workers come from poor rural families with little education. Entire families are forced into bonded labor, trapped by loans they can never repay because of low wages and high interest rates. Workers live on-site in cramped quarters, labor in extreme heat, breathe toxic fumes, and suffer from chronic illnesses. For making up to 1,300 bricks a day, they may earn as little as $4, leaving them unable to afford even basic food, shelter, or healthcare.
Mores Masih’s family was one such victim. His father, Pannu Masih, had taken a loan from kiln owner Qasim Majid Khan to cover medical expenses and Mores’ wedding. What began as a small debt soon grew into an unbearable burden. The owner increased the amount unfairly, cut their wages, and forced the family into deeper bondage. No matter how much they worked, the debt only grew.
The family lived in despair, caught in a system designed to enslave them. Once, in desperation, they tried to run away, but were caught and brought back to the kiln, punished with even harsher treatment.
Hope arrived when a local pastor heard their story and connected them with The Saviour’s Welfare Society. After investigating, the NGO entered into negotiations with the kiln owner. In the end, The Saviour’s Welfare Society paid the loan amount on behalf of the family, and the kiln owner finally released them.
Through this intervention, Mores and his family were set free — breaking the chains of slavery that had bound them for years.
Their story is not only one of suffering but also of survival, courage, and hope. It reminds us of the thousands of families still trapped in Pakistan’s brick kilns, and the urgent need for justice, freedom, and dignity for all workers.
The Saviour’s Welfare Society is committed to rescuing families trapped in the harsh realities of brick kiln slavery. For years, the society has actively intervened in countless cases, assisting families burdened by overwhelming debts that force them into a cycle of bonded labor.
At just 13 years old, Ayesha found herself trapped in a heart-wrenching and unjust situation due to her father’s unfortunate illness. In an effort to support his family, Ayesha’s father had taken a loan from a brick kiln factory. However, when he fell seriously ill and was unable to work, repaying the debt became impossible. Showing no mercy, the brick kiln owner demanded immediate repayment.
When The Saviour’s Welfare Society learned about Ayesha’s plight, they took immediate action. Recognizing the urgency and severity of the situation, they intervened swiftly and arranged a meeting with the brick kiln owner. The society worked tirelessly to negotiate and resolve the matter
For nine long years, Irfan Masih, a 37-year-old father of three, worked tirelessly at Al-Madina Brick Company. Each day, he earned only 700 PKR in daily wages—barely enough to survive, let alone provide for his family.
When Irfan developed a severe kidney problem, his suffering deepened. Desperate for treatment, he was forced to take a loan from the brick company. But instead of recovering, his health deteriorated further, leaving him too weak to continue working.
The company showed no mercy. Rather than forgiving his condition, they shifted the burden onto his elderly father, demanding that he take Irfan’s place in the kiln. The old man, already frail, was pushed into forced labor to repay a debt his son could never manage.
At this critical moment, The Saviour’s Welfare Society stepped in. Seeing the injustice, the organization paid off the loan and freed Irfan and his family from the cycle of bonded labor.
Today, though his health challenges remain, Irfan is no longer enslaved to a brick kiln. He dreams of working in a factory to support his family with dignity and hopes for a brighter future for his children.
At only 13 years old, Elijah’s life was stolen from him. Instead of holding schoolbooks and playing with friends, he was forced into the harsh world of bonded labor at Haji Muhammad Hanif Brick Company.
The tragedy began when his father, Prakash Masih, took a loan and later disappeared. Soon after, Elijah’s mother also passed away, leaving him orphaned and vulnerable. The brick company shifted the burden onto his maternal grandfather, compelling the old man to work in the kiln. But the cruelty did not stop there—the owner began pressuring Elijah himself to work, forcing a child into endless days of grueling labor under the scorching sun, inhaling dust and smoke, stripped of education, safety, and the joys of childhood.
Elijah’s story mirrors the brutal reality faced by thousands of children in Pakistan’s brick kiln industry—children born into debts they never created, trapped in cycles of poverty and exploitation.
When The Saviour’s Welfare Society learned about Elijah, they acted quickly. The team visited the kiln, confronted the owner, and secured the release of both Elijah and his grandfather.
Sabar Masih, a 47-year-old laborer, had been working at Al Noor Brick Company under extremely harsh conditions. With no education and earning only a small daily wage of 900 PKR, he struggled to support his family of five children. His suffering began when a serious accident left his shoulder completely blocked, making him unable to work for a long period. To cover medical expenses, he was forced to take a loan from the brick company. Although he slowly recovered and repaid part of the debt, tragedy struck again when his son passed away. Grief and financial instability pushed him to borrow even more, leaving him trapped in a cycle of debt.
Unable to repay the outstanding loan of Sabar faced abuse, threats, and constant harassment from the kiln owner, while his health worsened under the immense stress. When The Saviour’s Welfare Society learned of his situation, our team immediately intervened, visited the brick company, and secured the family’s release by paying off the debt in full.
Today, Sabar Masih and his family are free from bonded labor. No longer subjected to exploitation or abuse, they have been given hope for a brighter and more secure future.
Freedom at Last: Sabar Masih Released from Brick Kiln Bondage”
Yaqoob Masih, son of Samuel Masih, aged 55, had been working diligently as a daily wage laborer at a brick company. His life took a tragic turn when he fell seriously ill, forcing him to seek medical treatment that he could not afford. To manage his condition, he initially took a small loan from the brick company. However, as his health worsened and hospital visits became frequent, the loan amount continued to increase.
During this difficult period, his only daughter remained at home, where brick company workers began to harass and threaten the family. They were physically pressured to continue repaying the ever-increasing debt, leaving them trapped in a cycle of fear and helplessness.
When The Saviour’s Welfare Society learned of Yaqoob’s suffering, the team immediately intervened. The organization paid off the full loan amount and worked to secure the family’s release from bonded labor.
Today, Yaqoob and his family live free — grateful and filled with hope. Their story stands as a powerful reminder of how compassion and timely intervention can restore dignity and freedom to those in bondage.
Waqas Masih, commonly known as Raja, son of Mushtaq Masih is married to Amna and has two siblings. His father had taken a loan from Chaudhary Brick Company, and after his father’s death, the debt was transferred onto Raja.
Tragedy struck again when Raja’s wife fell seriously ill and had to undergo kidney removal surgery due to severe health complications. To cover her medical expenses, Raja was forced to borrow additional money from the brick company, causing the loan amount to increase further.
With his wife’s ongoing illness and the crushing financial burden, Raja became mentally distressed and was unable to repay the debt. The Saviour’s Welfare Society took notice of his suffering, intervened directly with the brick company, and paid off the full loan amount, freeing Raja and his family from bonded labor and exploitation.
Today, Raja and his family are finally free. They express heartfelt gratitude to The Saviour’s Welfare Society for restoring their dignity, peace, and hope for a better future.
We live in a beautiful world, but it also has its harsh realities—hatred, poverty, and injustice. While we may not be able to eliminate these challenges entirely, we can work towards reducing them. With unwavering dedication.
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