Brick industry workers in Sudurpaschim accuse government of neglect

Kanchanpur: Workers and entrepreneurs in the brick industry of Sudurpaschim Province have accused the government of being indifferent to their challenges, pushing the sector towards collapse.

Speaking at the second convention and general meeting of the Nepal Brick Industry Federation, Sudurpaschim Province, held at the Rehabilitation Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kanchanpur on Monday, participants expressed frustration at the government’s lack of support.

Federation Province Committee Chairman Baldev Singh Budal said many industrialists have been forced to leave the sector due to the absence of investment support. He added that the government’s policy of facilitating youth migration abroad has deepened the crisis. “Now, 80 percent of our workers have to be recruited from India. The youth here go abroad to study with government support, but industrialists receive no help,” Budal remarked.

Punarbas Municipality Mayor Toya Prasad Sharma said inconsistent government policies have contributed to the collapse of many brick industries. He highlighted that while there were once 17–18 brick factories in Punarbas, only 6–7 are still in operation. He urged the government to take urgent steps to retain and revive local entrepreneurs.

Similarly, Rajendra Prajapati, central vice-president of the Nepal Brick Industry Federation, criticized banks for putting additional pressure on struggling brick entrepreneurs instead of supporting them during crises. “The system is so cumbersome that it is harming the very workers it should protect. On top of that, the state has added to the injustice by not even providing insurance for brick industry workers,” he said.