Local brick-kilns using out-moded methods that cause massive air pollution will have to suspend their operation on Dec. 30 under the decision of Government Prime Minister and the provincial People’s Committee. However, surveys showed that there are still many traditional brick-kilns under stagnancy of transforming new technology for the sake of environment as stipulated. Why?]

 

Batches of brick are just produced.

Binh Duong has a traditional craft of ceramics. Therefore, the locality has numerous workshops specializing in manufacturing bricks. Earlier, these workshops were mainly located at districts of Di An, Thuan An and Tan Uyen. However, owing to urbanization process, operation of the traditional brick-kilns impacted seriously on environment, so local administration asked to remove the brick-kilns to thinly populated areas for the sake of environment protection. Over the past years, the pace of industrialization has strongly developed in parallel with urbanization development, turning Tan Uyen district’s thinly populated areas into populous residential areas. Besides, amid the development trend of modern industry, traditional brick-kilns causing massive air pollution must transform technology to curb environmental pollution.

Under the Government Prime Minister’s decision, the provincial People’s Committee regulates that if traditional brick-kilns do not transform into new productive technology, they must stop their operation on Dec. 30, 2010. However, many traditional brick-kilns have yet to transform their productive methods.

Risk of quitting traditional craft

Nguyen Van Hung, head of Tan Uyen district Economic Division, said transforming from traditional brick-kilns into hi-tech ones needs at least VND20bil. With such big money, many traditional brick-kilns have yet to transform their technology. Hung added the district has had 13 brick-kilns under operational suspension, 53 others applying hi-tech technology. At present, the locality has 103 traditional brick-kilns locating at Khanh Binh commune.

Ly Cong Tuyen, director of Ngoc Trang brick-kiln Ltd. worried the State’s instruction on transforming brick production technology is quite right but he can not afford to transform hi-tech technology. He and other brick-kiln proprietors hope that local authority will extend duration for them to seek capital source or transform into hi-tech method. Thanh, the proprietor of Thanh Phuoc brick-kiln said that he agrees with the State’s instruction but he needs support from the State to transform into hi-tech method. If without capital or support, many proprietors of traditional brick-kilns will have to quit their career.

Worry of traditional brick-kilns’ workers

Over years, Tan Uyen district has produced countless batches of brick. The brick-kilns help numerous people earn a living. Ly Cong Tuyen, Ngoc Trang brick-kiln Ltd director added “the brick-kiln is going to stop its operation and worry of 200 workers has become heavier”. Tan Uyen district-based brick-kilns have generated jobs for tens of thousands of laborers inside and outside the province. Many families in other provinces have moved to the locality to earn a living. Bui Thi Chuong working at Ngoc Trang brick-kiln for 10 years sadly said that once the brick-kiln under operational suspension, her life will face many difficulties, other companies refused her, owing to her old age.

With 103 traditional brick-kilns under the shortage of capital for transformation, there will have more than 7,000 laborers with risk of jobless in the end of 2010. Nguyen Thi Le, a worker of Thanh Phuoc brick-kiln said that her family’s main income is from the brick-kiln. She and her husband earn VND5mil per month from working at the brick-kiln. In the coming time, her family will have to return her homeland or seek other job to earn a living.

It is essential to have support or help for traditional brick-kilns to keep the traditional craft. And more importantly, local authority should create alternative jobs for laborers who work at these kilns.

Reported by V.Son – Translated by A.C