EDITORIAL: The proposed Punjab Prohibition of Child Labour at Brick Kilns Rules 2026 are a welcome and long-overdue step towards protecting children from exploitation and ensuring their right to education and a dignified childhood. There is already the Punjab Restriction on Employment of Children Act 2016. The provincial government’s decision to introduce new measures specifically aimed at eliminating child labour in brick kilns reflects a growing recognition that laws alone are not enough; effective implementation, monitoring and social support are equally essential. Brick kilns are among the workplaces where children from poor and vulnerable families can become trapped in a cycle of labour and deprivation.
Kiln owners who violate the law should face clear and proportionate legal consequences. At the same time, enforcement must not be limited to occasional raids or inspections. The proposed system for registering workers and their children, verifying their ages and maintaining accurate records is particularly important. Reliable records can help labour officials identify children at risk and prevent employers from concealing underage workers. Regular inspections by labour inspectors should therefore become a routine and transparent process. Labour inspectors should also be provided with adequate resources, training and institutional support so they can investigate complaints promptly and take action against violations. A clear procedure for legal proceedings will further strengthen enforcement and reduce the possibility of cases being delayed or ignored. The authorities should also establish an effective mechanism for receiving complaints from workers and local communities while ensuring that those who report violations are protected from retaliation.
However, the government must also address the economic circumstances that often push entire families towards bonded labour. Simply removing children from brick kilns without providing alternatives can leave poor families in even greater hardship. Children rescued from labour should be enrolled in schools and, where necessary, provided with educational, nutritional and rehabilitation support. Their parents should also be linked with social protection programmes to reduce their dependence on advance payment system, known as peshgi. This is particularly important because the peshgi system— in which workers take small cash advances from kiln owners to meet emergencies, such as medical expenses or wedding costs— can leave families trapped in debt and forced labour. Breaking this cycle of indebtedness is essential if efforts to eliminate child labour are to produce lasting results. Otherwise, children may simply return to hazardous work because of financial pressures at home.
The success of the proposed rules, however, will depend on consistent and transparent enforcement, institutional coordination and sustained support for affected families. The provincial government needs to ensure that the new rules do not remain merely another set of regulations on paper. It must also ensure that every child removed from a brick kiln has a genuine opportunity to return to school, grow up safely and build a better future. The real measure of success will be whether the policy breaks the cycle of poverty, debt bondage, and child labour rather than simply shifting children from one form of hardship to another.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026