Bonded Labour & Modern Slavery
- Unfair wages
- Manipulated debt records
- Harsh and dangerous working conditions
Breaking the Chains of Bonded Labour
Bonded labour is one of the most severe forms of modern slavery, trapping vulnerable families in a cycle of debt, poverty and exploitation. Across Pakistan, thousands of men, women and children are forced to work under abusive conditions to repay loans that often continue to grow rather than decrease, leaving families trapped for years—or even generations.
Many bonded labourers endure:
- Poverty wages that fail to meet even their basic needs.
- Fraudulent or manipulated debt records designed to keep them trapped.
- Dangerous and inhumane working conditions.
- Physical abuse, threats, and forced labor with no rights.
- Generational bondage, where children inherit their family’s debt and are forced to work.
Bonded labour is a serious violation of human rights and human dignity. At The EDGE Foundation, we are committed to helping victims secure their freedom, obtain legal protection and rebuild their lives.
The Reality for Brick Kiln Workers
Pakistan's brick kiln industry remains one of the country's largest centres of bonded labour. Hundreds of thousands of workers continue to live under conditions of exploitation, with many families unable to escape overwhelming debt and abuse. Beyond providing legal representation, The EDGE Foundation supports survivors with emergency assistance, rehabilitation, education, skills development and opportunities to rebuild independent lives.
Lives Transformed
Imran Masih – Freedom Through Legal Action
Imran Masih and his family endured years of exploitation while working at a brick kiln. Trapped by debt and facing constant intimidation, they saw little hope of escape. With legal intervention and support from The EDGE Foundation, Imran secured his freedom and was reunited with his family. Today, he is rebuilding his life with dignity and renewed hope for his children's future.
Adil Masih – A Father's Freedom Restored
Adil Masih was allegedly held in illegal confinement at a brick kiln while suffering from serious health problems, including kidney disease. His family sought help after exhausting every other option. Through legal action before the High Court, The EDGE Foundation successfully secured his release, allowing him to return to his wife, young children and newborn son. His case demonstrates how access to justice can restore both freedom and hope.
Farzana – A Widow's Journey Towards Freedom (Bounded Laborer)
For more than two decades, Farzana has worked at a brick kiln in Raiwind, where every day has been a struggle to provide for her family. After the death of her husband, Shahbaz Masih, in 2021, she became the sole provider for her four children, carrying the burden of both motherhood and survival.
Living in a single-room dwelling provided by the kiln owner, Farzana works long hours making bricks for meagre wages. Like many brick kiln workers, she became trapped in a cycle of debt after taking an advance to support her family. Regular deductions from her earnings have made it almost impossible to repay the loan, leaving her with little hope of escaping bonded labour.
Despite these hardships, Farzana has never given up on her children's future. She recently managed to enrol them in a local government school, while her eldest daughter has begun vocational training in stitching—offering the family their first glimpse of a life beyond the brick kiln.
When The EDGE Foundation visited Farzana during a field assessment, the team witnessed the difficult conditions in which the family was living. The winter season had brought brick production to a halt, leaving Farzana without work or income for several weeks. With no savings to rely on, she was forced to borrow even more money simply to feed her children, increasing the debt that already kept the family trapped.
The EDGE Foundation is supporting Farzana's journey towards independence by working to reduce her debt, strengthen her family's financial stability and help create opportunities for a sustainable livelihood. Through educational support for her children and assistance aimed at helping the family move beyond the brick kiln, we are helping Farzana build a future based on dignity rather than debt.
Farzana dreams of one day building a modest home on her family's inherited land and giving her children the education and opportunities she never had. With continued support, that dream can become a reality.
Her story reminds us that breaking the cycle of bonded labour is about more than escaping debt—it is about restoring hope, protecting families and creating opportunities for future generations to live in freedom.
Your Support Can Set Families Free
Every rescued family represents a new beginning—but many more remain trapped in bonded labour and modern slavery.
- Rescue victims through free legal aid and court representation.
- Provide emergency assistance, food and temporary shelter.
- Help survivors rebuild their lives through education, skills training and livelihood support.
- Protect vulnerable families from exploitation and prevent future generations from entering bonded labour.
- Advocate for stronger protections to end modern slavery in Pakistan.
Together, we can break the cycle of bonded labour, restore dignity and give vulnerable families the opportunity to build lives of freedom, security and hope.