An acute shortage of labour has cast its shadow over 2,700 brick kilns in Punjab. According to the brick kiln owners the production has been affected by 50 per cent and if the situation continues the brick Industry would be in doldrums.
It is worth mentioning that Punjab has about 2,755 traditional brick kilns in the state. On an average each kiln has capacity to produce to around 40 lakh bricks per annum. Also, the kilns operating mainly from March-June and October-December i.e six months a year.
Speaking to Business Standard, Punjab Brick Kiln Owner Association, Kapurthala district President, Vishal Soni said, "The construction Industry has fuelled the demand for bricks. But at the same time, we are facing acute labour shortage to the extent of 50 per cent which is hampering the production. Last year, and even in the month of March-June this year, the production was affected. The production suffered a lot. On an average the kiln owners were seen utilising 50 per cent of their installed capacity."
The brick Industry in Punjab is mainly dependent on migrant labours from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Orissa etc. But in last few years these states are also witnessing commendable infrastructure development, so the labours like to stay in their parent state rather than moving out. Also effective implementation of NREGA in these states is also one of the reason which helps them to get job in their states. Vishal added further, " We had increased the wages significantly in last two years, but it ois also not yielding the results. We have to offer advances then only we managed to get some labours."
Although, some of the kiln owners has also gone for automation in order to counter the problem, but huge investment in automation is discouraging the entrepreneurs. On being asked about to adopt automation, brick kiln owners added that its a costly affair and it requires huge investment, almost 3-4 times than the traditional kilns.
Around 6 entrepreneurs in private sector in the state has installed automated imported machinery. Analysts believe that increase difficulties in handling labour, maintaining better quality of brick and meeting with increased demand of better quality brick in the market have forced the brick kiln entrepreneurs to rethink about their brick making process and also lead to product innovation. As a result many of the entrepreneurs are diversifying into resource efficient bricks(REBs) by importing machinery from overseas.
The further feels that in the near future the Indian brick Industry majority of them which are in SME sector would be undergoing complete makeover by adopting mechanisation. The entry of International Technology providers and producer is going to revolutionise the Indian brick Industry.
Not only the entrepreneurs would be seen bringing innovation in their product but would also adopt mechanisation. There are about 35 plants across India including semi automatic & fully automatic which are already operational, besides many of modernise plants them are under construction.