To quote The Rolling Stones “You can’t always get what you want but sometimes you find that you get what you need”.
Over the past few months, I have been learning that there is a difference between how things change and how I think change should happen.
The Plan
New Rivers Enterprises has set itself the goal of disrupting the brick manufacturing industry in Pakistan. Specifically, we are working to end this industry’s reliance on slave labour. The plan is to buy and lease brick factories and then demonstrate that they can be operated profitably without the use of slave labour. Of course, the obvious moral and human rights issues associated with slavery are clear motivations to disrupt this industry. Another issue that has become more apparent during our work in Pakistan is the high level of crimes perpetrated against the families who live and work as slaves at brick factories.
We have not shared openly about the crimes our team in Pakistan have witnessed and regularly experience as doing so would jeopardise their safety. For that same reason, I will not be providing any details here. These crimes have, however, become an unexpected disruption to the brick factories in and around Lahore. This disruption has shone a very broad spotlight on the plight of brick factory workers in a way that has not been done before. The consequences of this increased awareness has resulted in this industry being thrown into chaos to the extent that even our business plans have been affected.
The Curve Ball
It would be good to provide some insight into what led to this disruption before I get further into the current and future implications. On 8 February 2024, a general election was held in Pakistan. This election was originally to be held in 2023 but it was delayed for a variety of reasons. Maryam Nawaz Sharif became the Chief Minister of the Punjab State following this election. Lahore is a main city in the Punjab State. Sharif and her family began investing in brick factories following the election with a view to using machinery to modernise brick manufacturing. Around this time, independent media sources began reporting on some crimes which had recently occurred in brick factories in and around Lahore. Information about these crimes is readily available on the internet but I will not be referring to specific crimes to again protect New Rivers Pakistan’s workers and business prospects. Sharif became aware of this reporting and took steps to investigate these crimes.
It is important to know that these crimes were committed by brick factory 'managers' and without the factory owners’ knowledge. It is common practice for factory owners to remain 'at arms length' for the operation of their factories.
The publicity and investigations into these crimes began shining a light on the mistreatment of workers/slaves at some factories. Managers and owners of some of the implicated factories began protesting in response to what they considered an unnecessary intrusion into the way they ran their factories. In response, Sharif ordered these factories to cease operating.
The brick manufacturing industry in the Punjab state, and specifically in and around Lahore, has been thrown into chaos by these events. This uncertainty has resulted in many aspects of this industry not operating as it normally would. Specifically, deals with factory owners have been paused while this industry waits to see if its practices will continue to be scrutinized.
Prior to this disruption, New Rivers was negotiating with factory owners to lease brick factories. Some of these owners are key figures within the brick manufacturing industry in Lahore. Even these individuals, who are usually able to rely on their 'connections' to avoid scrutiny or legal issues, have adopted very low profiles. Consequently, leasing negotiations in which New Rivers is involved in, are on an indefinite hold. We are confident that these negotiations will resume later this year as either; the political spotlight will shift to another issue, or brick factories will adapt to operating with more transparency.
The current situation in Lahore is an example of change happening in surprising ways. Of course, disruption is not that same as lasting change. The use of slave and child labour in brick factories continues despite the current state of play. There is still much change that needs to occur in this industry before it achieves a modicum of social and environmental credibility. New Rivers will continue working to transition brick manufacturing towards a slave-free future. The good news is that we may have more government and political support than we thought initially possible.
The reduction or elimination of serious crimes in brick factories would be a significant victory for brick factory workers and their families. The current situation shows, for the first time, the possibility of these factories no longer being places which protect criminals by 'hiding' crimes and threatening (and sadly sometimes secretly burying) victims. Prior to these recent events, New Rivers was operating on the assumption that the factories it would operate would be the only 'safe havens' (or one of very few) for workers within the entire brick manufacturing industry. However, the possibility of crimes against brick factory workers no longer being politically or socially acceptable may now be more than a dream.
The Plan continues
2024 started with New Rivers having a pathway to operating leased brick factories. That path is currently blocked. When this path reopens, it may be into an industry where crimes against its workers are reduced and being eliminated. Returning to The Rolling Stone line I started with. New Rivers has not yet gotten what we want in terms of leased brick factories. However, we may get to operate in an industry with a significantly reduced criminal element which is something that we and every other brick factory in the Punjab State needs.
New Rivers is committed to disrupting everything that needs to be disrupted in this industry but we welcome disruptions (like potentially reduced crime rates) which come about without our efforts. It takes many stakeholders to change an industry and we are excited about the possibility of the Pakistani government (or at least one minister) being a force for positive change. We are excited to see what happens next and we will keep you updated.
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We are always interested in feedback and new ideas that people may have with respect to changes that can be made at the brick factories and any other businesses that New Rivers is involved in. We look forward to hearing from you - email us at info.newrivers@gmail.com.
Pictured: Manfred, Michelle (centre) and the New Rivers Team
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