(a)the estimated number of brick kiln workers in the country;
(b)whether the Government is aware of the heinous conditions under which migrant workers are employed in the brick kilns in various parts of the country including Andhra Pradesh; and
(c)if so, the corrective steps taken by the Government to ensure that the workers are paid minimum wages and provided safe living and working conditions?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL, MINES, LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)
(a): The information about the estimated number of brick kiln workers in the country is not maintained at Central level.
(b) & (c): The brick kiln work falls under the purview of State sphere. Prevention of exploitation of migrant workers including those employed in brick kilns is primarily the responsibility of the State governments. State governments are empowered to take action for violation of labour rights of such workers. There is no separate law exclusively for brick kiln workers. However, various labour laws such as Employees Compensation Act, 1923; the Minimum Wages Act, 1948; the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1971; the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952; the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970; the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 etc. are directly or indirectly applicable to brick kiln workers.