Christian Brick Worker Alleges Abuse and Bonded Labor in Pakistan

Lazar Masih, a Christian laborer in Pakistan’s Punjab province, has alleged that he was subjected to physical abuse and forced labor at a brick kiln in the Kasur district. In video testimony provided by the advocacy group LEAD Ministries, Masih claims that kiln operators beat him with sticks and placed him in chains after he protested against low wages and poor working conditions. He stated that workers at the site were paid approximately 600 Pakistani rupees, or about $2.15, per day.

Masih further reported that the violence extended to his family, alleging that his wife was beaten and his children were struck during the confrontation. According to Masih, the dispute arose from financial grievances, including deductions from earnings that left his family in economic distress. Christian advocates note that such incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by impoverished laborers in the region, where debt-based employment arrangements can trap workers in cycles of exploitation. Masih has since declared his intention to cease working at the kiln despite the alleged threats and financial pressures.