Precarious Labor
Shehnaz Zaheer, Baldia Town, Karachi
It isn’t atonement he seeks. It is simply financial help for him and his family. It takes me some time to realize this. “Sometimes you speak to the media, and a generous soul can read about our plight.” He tells
Shehnaz Zaheer, Baldia Town, Karachi
It isn’t atonement he seeks. It is simply financial help for him and his family. It takes me some time to realize this. “Sometimes you speak to the media, and a generous soul can read about our plight.” He tells
Mohammed Zaheer, Baldia Town, Karachi
Farhan Zaheer began working at the garment factory at the age of eight. His father, Mohammad Zaheer, confesses this to me, his face torn by shame as his eyes suffer the sight of my shocked reaction. Farhan was paid Rs
Mohammed Zaheer, Baldia Town, Karachi
Farhan Zaheer began working at the garment factory at the age of eight. His father, Mohammad Zaheer, confesses this to me, his face torn by shame as his eyes suffer the sight of my shocked reaction. Farhan was paid Rs
Nasreen Khan, Baldia Town, Karachi
She sees him in her dreams. He is young, but older than the age at which he died. He comes towards her, and asks after her, inquiring about her health, about his sisters and whether they liked the clothes he
Nasreen Khan, Baldia Town, Karachi
She sees him in her dreams. He is young, but older than the age at which he died. He comes towards her, and asks after her, inquiring about her health, about his sisters and whether they liked the clothes he
Abdul Aziz Khan, Baldia Town, Karachi
Abdul Aziz Khan bequeathed poverty – and its daily rituals of survival, to his son Atta-Ullah Nabil. His dismissal from his job five years earlier because of his failing health, robbed Nabil of his childhood. Abdul Aziz Khan had succumbed
Abdul Aziz Khan, Baldia Town, Karachi
Abdul Aziz Khan bequeathed poverty – and its daily rituals of survival, to his son Atta-Ullah Nabil. His dismissal from his job five years earlier because of his failing health, robbed Nabil of his childhood. Abdul Aziz Khan had succumbed
Nasreen Imran, Baldia Town, Karachi
The moment the paternal grandmother refused to acknowledge or bless the grandchildren, Nasreen knew that the life she once knew, and the home she had once considered as her own, was no more. Standing in the foyer of her husband’s
Nasreen Imran, Baldia Town, Karachi
The moment the paternal grandmother refused to acknowledge or bless the grandchildren, Nasreen knew that the life she once knew, and the home she had once considered as her own, was no more. Standing in the foyer of her husband’s
Sharifa Siddeeq, Baldia Town, Karachi
“How did you find his body?” The question hangs in the air. Neither Mohammad Siddeeq or Sharifa answer but simply exchange glances. Outside, I hear the noise of the neighborhood: vegetable sellers, playing children, gossiping neighbors, passing trucks, bleating goats,
Sharifa Siddeeq, Baldia Town, Karachi
“How did you find his body?” The question hangs in the air. Neither Mohammad Siddeeq or Sharifa answer but simply exchange glances. Outside, I hear the noise of the neighborhood: vegetable sellers, playing children, gossiping neighbors, passing trucks, bleating goats,
Mohammed Siddeeq, Baldia Town, Karachi
There are the facts of the night that he died; the greedy flames, the chaotic crowds, the confused and haphazard rescue operation, the desperate attempt to break the walls of the factory, the pleas and screams of those trapped inside,
Mohammed Siddeeq, Baldia Town, Karachi
There are the facts of the night that he died; the greedy flames, the chaotic crowds, the confused and haphazard rescue operation, the desperate attempt to break the walls of the factory, the pleas and screams of those trapped inside,
Ghulam Nabi, Baldia Town, Karachi
What does it means to be a father – to be a caregiver, a worrier, a provider, a protector, a friend, and a sanctuary to a child? This was the question confronting Ghulam Nabi almost every day since the death
Ghulam Nabi, Baldia Town, Karachi
What does it means to be a father – to be a caregiver, a worrier, a provider, a protector, a friend, and a sanctuary to a child? This was the question confronting Ghulam Nabi almost every day since the death
Kanees Fatima, Baldia Town, Karachi
It was the promise of Rs. 6500 ($60), his monthly salary, that took him to the factory that day. It was the pride of the Rs. 500 ($5) raise that he had earned. It was the house bills, his sibling’s
Kanees Fatima, Baldia Town, Karachi
It was the promise of Rs. 6500 ($60), his monthly salary, that took him to the factory that day. It was the pride of the Rs. 500 ($5) raise that he had earned. It was the house bills, his sibling’s
Khurram Javed, Baldia Town, Karachi
Khurram had been busy since his brother’s death helping other families search for bodies, complete financial compensation paper work, deal with the police, the hospital and morgue formalities and prepare submissions for DNA testing to help identify bodies. Unlike his
Khurram Javed, Baldia Town, Karachi
Khurram had been busy since his brother’s death helping other families search for bodies, complete financial compensation paper work, deal with the police, the hospital and morgue formalities and prepare submissions for DNA testing to help identify bodies. Unlike his
Aruba, Bilal & Sanobar Ahmed, Baldia Town, Karachi
As I walk into the room, I see them sitting waiting for me. Sirjeel Ahmed’s mother Kausar Parveen, his sisters Aruba and Sanobar, youngest brother Bilal and a cousin, Imran all greet me politely and sit back down in silence.
Aruba, Bilal & Sanobar Ahmed, Baldia Town, Karachi
As I walk into the room, I see them sitting waiting for me. Sirjeel Ahmed’s mother Kausar Parveen, his sisters Aruba and Sanobar, youngest brother Bilal and a cousin, Imran all greet me politely and sit back down in silence.
Kausar Parveen Ahmed, Baldia Town, Karachi
People in the hundreds gathered outside the burning factory, all desperately trying to figure out how to save those trapped inside. Some are scuffling with the emergency services personnel, other with the police constabulary who are trying to gain control
Kausar Parveen Ahmed, Baldia Town, Karachi
People in the hundreds gathered outside the burning factory, all desperately trying to figure out how to save those trapped inside. Some are scuffling with the emergency services personnel, other with the police constabulary who are trying to gain control
Hussein Ahmed, Baldia Town, Karachi
He says very little. In contrast to the anger-tinged testimony of his wife when she spoke about their son Sirjeel’s death, and the incompetence of the rescue services that may have led to it, Hussein Ahmed neither revealed any emotions,
Hussein Ahmed, Baldia Town, Karachi
He says very little. In contrast to the anger-tinged testimony of his wife when she spoke about their son Sirjeel’s death, and the incompetence of the rescue services that may have led to it, Hussein Ahmed neither revealed any emotions,
Rashida Bibi, Baldia Town, Karachi
The photograph Rashida Bibi hands me is faded, scratched and frayed. Light leaks streak across a scene that shows four people – Rahima Bibi, her husband Mohammad Nasser, her son Mehrab and her mother Rashida, sitting together, smiling and laughing
Rashida Bibi, Baldia Town, Karachi
The photograph Rashida Bibi hands me is faded, scratched and frayed. Light leaks streak across a scene that shows four people – Rahima Bibi, her husband Mohammad Nasser, her son Mehrab and her mother Rashida, sitting together, smiling and laughing
Rosina Rehmat Ali, Baldia Town, Karachi
There is a sudden, unexpected turn in the conversation. I hear her voice quiver, and I see her entire body shake. Was it from fear, or from anger? During our conversation she had shown both; the fear that comes from
Rosina Rehmat Ali, Baldia Town, Karachi
There is a sudden, unexpected turn in the conversation. I hear her voice quiver, and I see her entire body shake. Was it from fear, or from anger? During our conversation she had shown both; the fear that comes from
Mohammad Mehrab, Baldia Town, Karachi
“I need to tell you more about my mother.” Mehrab’s voice sounds irritated. “She isn’t just this corpse you have come to ask about.” I feel the sting of his reprimand. We are walking through the streets of the neighborhood
Mohammad Mehrab, Baldia Town, Karachi
“I need to tell you more about my mother.” Mehrab’s voice sounds irritated. “She isn’t just this corpse you have come to ask about.” I feel the sting of his reprimand. We are walking through the streets of the neighborhood
Syed Azmat Ali, Baldia Town, Karachi
As we approach the building, the men accompanying me lower their voices. There is a small crowd standing in the alleyway. They stare at us as we push past, but no one says anything. They know why we have come.
Syed Azmat Ali, Baldia Town, Karachi
As we approach the building, the men accompanying me lower their voices. There is a small crowd standing in the alleyway. They stare at us as we push past, but no one says anything. They know why we have come.
Rehana Ali, Baldia Town, Karachi
“Where are the bodies?” The words are thrust out of her throat with great effort, and between deep, heaving breaths. Her children’s bodies were never recovered from the site of the accident, nor found at the hospital or the morgue.
Rehana Ali, Baldia Town, Karachi
“Where are the bodies?” The words are thrust out of her throat with great effort, and between deep, heaving breaths. Her children’s bodies were never recovered from the site of the accident, nor found at the hospital or the morgue.
Ramzan Yaqoob
Ramzan Yaqoob lost his brother Shahid (24) in the fire of 11 September 2012. Shahid had worked at the factory for about 10 years, and was, at the time of his death, earning around Rs. 9000 a month. This is
Ramzan Yaqoob
Ramzan Yaqoob lost his brother Shahid (24) in the fire of 11 September 2012. Shahid had worked at the factory for about 10 years, and was, at the time of his death, earning around Rs. 9000 a month. This is
Rehana Yaqoob
Rehana Yaqoob, a widow, lost her son Shahid (24) in the factory fire – Shahid was earning about Rs 9000 per month at the time of his death. Rehana had raised her two sons by working multiple jobs as a
Rehana Yaqoob
Rehana Yaqoob, a widow, lost her son Shahid (24) in the factory fire – Shahid was earning about Rs 9000 per month at the time of his death. Rehana had raised her two sons by working multiple jobs as a
Adam Suleiman
Adam Suleiman’s son, Syed Munawwar (aka Honey) was killed on September 11, 2012 when the Ali Enterprises garment factory caught fire in what became the largest industrial disaster in the country’s history. He was 26 years of age at the
Adam Suleiman
Adam Suleiman’s son, Syed Munawwar (aka Honey) was killed on September 11, 2012 when the Ali Enterprises garment factory caught fire in what became the largest industrial disaster in the country’s history. He was 26 years of age at the
Babar Suleiman
Babar Suleiman’s brother, Syed Munawwar (aka Honey) was killed on September 11, 2012 when the Ali Enterprises garment factory caught fire in what became the largest industrial disaster in the country’s history. He was 26 years of age at the
Babar Suleiman
Babar Suleiman’s brother, Syed Munawwar (aka Honey) was killed on September 11, 2012 when the Ali Enterprises garment factory caught fire in what became the largest industrial disaster in the country’s history. He was 26 years of age at the
Maria Suleiman
Maria Suleiman’s son, Syed Munawwar (aka Honey) was killed on September 11, 2012 when the Ali Enterprises garment factory caught fire in what became the largest industrial disaster in the country’s history. He was 26 years of age at the
Maria Suleiman
Maria Suleiman’s son, Syed Munawwar (aka Honey) was killed on September 11, 2012 when the Ali Enterprises garment factory caught fire in what became the largest industrial disaster in the country’s history. He was 26 years of age at the
Syed Munawwar aka ‘Honey’
Maria Suleiman holds a photo of her son Syed Munawwar aka Honey, who died in the Ali Enterprises factory fire that killed over 300 people on September 11, 2012. This is from a series of stories about the families of
Syed Munawwar aka ‘Honey’
Maria Suleiman holds a photo of her son Syed Munawwar aka Honey, who died in the Ali Enterprises factory fire that killed over 300 people on September 11, 2012. This is from a series of stories about the families of
Mohammed Kamran
Mohammed Kamran lost his father, Mohammed Sideeq (57), in the fire of 11 September 2012. Mohammed Sideeq had been employed at the factory for about 9 years, was was, at the time of his death, earning around Rs. 11,000 a
Mohammed Kamran
Mohammed Kamran lost his father, Mohammed Sideeq (57), in the fire of 11 September 2012. Mohammed Sideeq had been employed at the factory for about 9 years, was was, at the time of his death, earning around Rs. 11,000 a
An Incomplete Debate
There is something exciting, and something disappointing in the many discussions provoked by the recent factory fire that engulfed the Tazreen garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Today, for example, the New York Times invited a group of individuals involved with
An Incomplete Debate
There is something exciting, and something disappointing in the many discussions provoked by the recent factory fire that engulfed the Tazreen garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Today, for example, the New York Times invited a group of individuals involved with
Mrs. Islam & Waheed
Shamsul Islam lost his son, Shafiqul Islam (25), in the Ali Enterprises factory fire that killed over 300 people on September 11, 2012. Shafiqul Islam was the only member of the family bringing in a regular income. His body, a
Mrs. Islam & Waheed
Shamsul Islam lost his son, Shafiqul Islam (25), in the Ali Enterprises factory fire that killed over 300 people on September 11, 2012. Shafiqul Islam was the only member of the family bringing in a regular income. His body, a
Begum Islam
‘The DNA test we gave…’, he asks hesitating between words, ‘When do you think the results will come back?’ Shamsul Islam, poor day laborer living in the heart of the infamous Machar Colony – a squalid, makeshift slum on the
Begum Islam
‘The DNA test we gave…’, he asks hesitating between words, ‘When do you think the results will come back?’ Shamsul Islam, poor day laborer living in the heart of the infamous Machar Colony – a squalid, makeshift slum on the
Shamsul Islam
‘The DNA test we gave…’, he asks hesitating between words, ‘When do you think the results will come back?’ Shamsul Islam, is a day laborer living in the heart of the infamous Machar Colony – a squalid, makeshift slum on
Shamsul Islam
‘The DNA test we gave…’, he asks hesitating between words, ‘When do you think the results will come back?’ Shamsul Islam, is a day laborer living in the heart of the infamous Machar Colony – a squalid, makeshift slum on
The Peace That We Seek: Abdul Mateen
“It is difficult to explain, but you have to understand that all that we seek now is the peace that comes from seeing our child’s body and honouring him with a proper burial.” Abdul Mateen looks at his wife as
The Peace That We Seek: Abdul Mateen
“It is difficult to explain, but you have to understand that all that we seek now is the peace that comes from seeing our child’s body and honouring him with a proper burial.” Abdul Mateen looks at his wife as