Kurigram, Feb 08, (V7N) — In the Chilmari Upazila of Kurigram, around 600 workers are facing dire conditions as four brick kilns in the area have been shut down. This decision, which has left many workers unemployed, is putting their livelihoods at risk.
 
According to local sources, there are a total of 113 brick kilns in nine upazilas of Kurigram, with four located in Chilmari. These kilns employ around 600 workers, including laborers for brick-making and truck drivers transporting materials. This year, the kiln owners have faced significant losses due to the cold weather, and many are struggling with bank loans taken to invest in the business.
 
The kiln owners stated that the workers had taken advances from them, which have already been spent. Now, with the kilns closed, they cannot repay the workers. The workers are concerned that they will be unable to sell their labor and may face insurmountable debts due to this uncertainty. Many of them fear they may be left on the streets with no way to support their families.
 
Sources further mentioned that the government has issued a directive that, starting in 2025, agricultural landowners will no longer be allowed to dig topsoil for brick kilns, which will eventually lead to the closure of these brick kilns. However, this year, the lack of guidance regarding licensing renewal has left kiln owners in a difficult position, with investments of over 5 crore taka already made. The lack of clear government policy has left them facing severe financial losses.
 
The unemployed workers have appealed to the government, requesting that they be allowed to continue working during this season to avoid falling into debt and becoming homeless with their families.
 
Nurunnabi Mia, a worker at a brick kiln, said, “We took advances from the kiln owners and spent the money. But now, with the kilns closed, we are unable to work. How will we pay back the loans and feed our families?”
 
Makbul Hossain, a resident of the Thanahat Union, said, “I have been working at the kiln for a long time. But when the government officials came and shut it down, we lost our work. Now, we are struggling to survive. Without work, how will we feed our families?”
 
Several local contractors also expressed their concerns to Voice7 News, saying that while brick kilns continue to operate in other areas, the sudden closure in this upazila will drive up the price of bricks and delay construction projects, affecting local development.
 
Habibul Islam Apu, the owner of M/s O.B.S Traders, shared that all of his paperwork was up-to-date before the kiln’s closure. He had even applied for environmental clearance this year but had not received approval due to an administrative delay. He stated that while the closure does not pose a major issue for him, it is a severe problem for the workers.
 
Mahfuzar Rahman Manju, the owner of S.T. Bricks, told Voice7 News, “We paid VAT before starting the kiln’s operations. However, due to the administration's sudden decision, it has now been closed, causing delays in local development projects.”
 
Upazila Executive Officer Sabuj Kumar Biswas confirmed to Voice7 News that the four kilns in the upazila had been shut down due to the lack of proper permits.
 
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