Abstract:

Brick manufacturing industry is a major mode of providing employment opportunities; particularly in the rural areas of country where agriculture cannot itself provide a mean of sustainable livelihood. Although gradual advancements in the brick-making industry had been observed a lot in the past decade, however, in the present scenario, it still mostly depends upon traditional and labor intensive methods of production. In the KPK province of Pakistan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi,  Bannu, D.I. Khan and Swat districts are famous for making bricks. But Peshawar, Charsadda and Mardan are the major producers of bricks in the country. The main aim of the study was to focus on the psychological impacts of working in brick kiln in the KPK province (District Mardan & Swabi). There are around 58 number of brick kiln in Mardan & Swabi District including areas “Jalala,Takht Bai,Gulshan Mera,Hatyan,Lund Khwar,Kabul Rever,Sherin Kutey,Par Hoti Mardan,Yarhussan ” etc.A sample size consisting of 250 respondents was selected at random among the working community in brick kiln industry.. Chi  square  (χ2 )  statistics determined  the  level  of  association  between  dependent  variable (psychological impact) and the independent variables (working in brick kiln). Moreover, simple regression was used to see influence of the independent variable on dependent variable. At bi-variate level, respondents nervousness regarding nature of the owners (dependent variable) was found highly significant =0.000) with independent variable (working in brick kiln). Likewise, a highly significant =0.000) association was observed between respondents view to be stressed out with independent variable (working n brick kiln). The overall model of regression was found highly significant which clearly indicated that working in brick kiln had an impact on workers psychological health. The study recommends for the implementation of structural and institutional policies to address health issues of the kiln laborers. In addition, government is highly urged to launch awareness campaign while accentuating over the rights and laws concerning the kiln workers through radio, TV and newspapers. Health and safety programs designed with a notion to prevent accidents must be under serious consideration of the brick kiln owners.