Modern Brick Kilns Yield Development Benefits in Bangladesh

Hafiza’s life in the brick kilns of Bangladesh is a story of before and after.

Once she was like the thousands of seasonal workers who labored in searing conditions under the five-story smokestacks of fixed chimney kilns spewing so much coal dust and other pollution that it killed surrounding vegetation.

Temporary housing lacked access to clean water or local health care, and families like hers moved around in search of other jobs when the kilns shut down during monsoon.

“Before, I worked sporadically on various jobs throughout the year — in the fields, in traditional kilns, on construction sites or as a household helper,” said Hafiza, who is from the impoverished Jamalpur district. “I was low paid and never certain about the next job or income.”

To go through the full story: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2016/07/20/modern-brick-kilns-yield-development-benefits-in-bangladesh