VSBK
Programme
Components

Improving social equity
Technology shift will be used as an agent of change in the social structure of the brick industry thereby aiming to share benefits of the technology transfer to workers in addition to entrepreneurs and neighborhoods. The programme comprises of a “techno-socio integration” component in order to improve social equity. The purpose of the techno-socio integration is empowered labour force to maintain improved living conditions with self-dignity. The programme will design short, medium and long-term strategies and processes. The programme works in close collaboration with entrepreneurs to sustain the efforts made towards better living and working conditions of the workers. The programme provides skill training for Nepali workers to meet the demand of skilled and semi-skilled workers resulting into better jobs and better wages. Cleaner brick firing and mechanized brick extrusion opens new potentials for a balanced involvement of women in high-end jobs. Semi mechanization of low-end jobs such as transporting and moulding will discourage the involvement of child workers.

Joint social activities include the following areas

  • Child care centre
  • Clean drinking water
  • Sanitation
  • Shelter
  • Children-focused programme to the benefits of brick children
  • Health and nutrition
  • Access to public schools for children
  • Functionally literacy classes to adults
Maintaining market conditions
The programme enables brick entrepreneurs to have access to services and establish and run their VSBK business successfully. In the past, two pilot entrepreneurs took the lead in introducing the technology in Nepal, bearing a calculated risk themselves, since all construction and operation costs are being borne by the entrepreneurs. VSBK Programme only provided limited subsidies for imported goods from India. The self-financing rate will further increase during the next years.

Introducing system adaptations
Brick making is a complex process influenced by properties of local clays, fuel and climatic conditions (such as prevailing product quality and pricing). The quality of brick depends not only on the firing process but also on pre-firing such as kneading and moulding. Hence, a continuous adaptation of the VSBK technology to local requirements is necessary. The system approach of the VSBK Programme addresses more than the firing process. Step-by-step changes are also introduced in the pre-firing process of brick moulding through introduction of semi-mechanized machines like pug mills and extruders. The VSBK Programme supports entrepreneurs in maintaining better business practices to meet the market demand for quality products.