The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in partnership with Development Alternatives (DA) and the All-India Brick and Tile Manufacturers Federation (AIBTMF), hosted a two-day consultation workshop in New Delhi on 12–13 November 2025 titled “Enabling Socially Responsive Brick Industries in India: From Policies to Practice.”

The workshop brought together brick entrepreneurs from across the Indian Himalayan states to reflect on some of the toughest social issues in the sector, especially the dignity and wellbeing of workers. The conversations also focused on how entrepreneurs can better access national and state schemes that support improvements in labour conditions, productivity, and compliance. Alongside this, the workshop highlighted successful models from state-level brick associations that are already taking concrete steps to strengthen social safeguards for workers.

Objectives

The workshop aimed to:

• Encourage the exchange of practical approaches and successful models adopted by brick entrepreneurs across different states.

• Identify key social challenges facing the brick sector in India and explore how policies can be implemented more effectively.

• Review and gather feedback on the draft Social Code of Conduct (SCoC).

Expected Outcomes

The consultation aimed to produce:

• Endorsement of the Social Code of Conduct (SCoC) by AIBTMF.

• Stronger collaboration among AIBTMF members and brick entrepreneurs.