12/9/2019 Child Labor in Pakistan Essay

/ Essays / Young People

Print

Disclaimer: This work has been submitted by a student. This is not an example of the work produced by our Essay Writing Service. You can v

Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the

Child labor refers to the employment of children at regular and sustained labor. It is the full-time employment of children under a minimum leg
exploitative by many international organizations. (Child Labor at Distrcit Level, 2009)Child labor is one of the problems that occur as a result of
developed and emerging countries, use of children as labors is considered as violation of human rights and is outlawed, while some poorer and

In Pakistan, a country where almost half of the population lives below the poverty line, child labor is deeply entrenched and pressing phenome
primarily exists in the informal sector of employment and home-based industry. Pakistan’s high population growth of around 1.6% poses multi
economic development of the country. According to the survey of Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) in 2002, the number of working children in
However, the children under the age of 10 and those working in small and family businesses that are not registered with the government were
than the official figures.

In Pakistan, children aged 5-14 are around 40 million. The survey conducted by UNISEF in 2003, estimated that 8 million children under the age
factories, carpet weaving centers, agriculture, small industries and domestic services. The survey also indicated that rural and urban ratio of chil
Punjab with nearly 60% of the total child labor population.

HISTORY AND IMPACT OF CHILD LABOR IN PAKISTAN

Child labor has been prevalent in Pakistan in all the sectors of the economy, though it mostly exists in informal sector of employment and in th
serious consideration due to international exposure. In 1996, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto acknowledged the problem of child labo
1998, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stated that the problem of child labor occupied a prominent place in the agenda of government of Pakistan.
four point policy for curbing child labor in Pakistan. In Jan-99, government announced the draft of the labor policy. The policy envisaged that th
government of Pakistan in 2000, that the law to eliminate child labor and bonded labor at an economic level would be implemented in 2002 an
after so much regulations and promises by the government of Pakistan, the attempt has not been successful till now. Though the issue has rece
ILO and UNICEF are participating in the issue, still the improvement in this case is very slow.

In eradicating and creating awareness against child labor in Pakistan many communities are having a stake. Some of these communities/autono

Government of Pakistan
Children Parliament Pakistan
International Labor Organization
UNICEF
Other NGO’s, Society and Media
All the above government and private bodies are actively working for the eradication of child labor in Pakistan. The issue has been seriously ad
body. The role of each of the above mentioned body in the eradication of child labor in Pakistan is as follows:

GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN: Government of Pakistan has been actively working for the eradication of child labor in Pakistan. Activities of gove
1990’s, when the matter of child labor emerged as a serious consideration due to international exposure. In Jan-99, government announced the
committed to end child labor. It was also promised by the government of Pakistan in 2000, that the law to eliminate child labor and bonded lab
would be no bonded labor or child labor in Pakistan. Though the government has not been able to deliver on the promises made due to the in
efforts made on their part. Government also identified poverty and lack of education for children as root causes for the child labor in the count

(Arshad)The present government in Pakistan has made elementary education compulsory for children. Along with that, the government has als
the parents, who cannot afford their child’s education and school expenses can send their children to schools. Along with all of the above, the f
(Pakistan):

National Child Labor Laws: In Pakistan a child is defined as a person younger then fifteen. The legal minimum age for employment of children i
Islamic republic of Pakistan prohibits forced labor, slavery, and employment of children below the age of 14. The government of Pakistan assert
employment places covered under employment of children act 1991 to check the compliance of the law at that places.

Education Laws: Articles 37 (b) & (c) of the constitution of Pakistan declares public policy to “remove illiteracy and provide free and compulsory
technical and professional education generally available and higher education equally accessible to all on the basis of merit”. Despite a law in 1
compulsory, none of the provinces have complied. As of now, the present government in Pakistan has made elementary education compulsory
distributing free books in primary schools.

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/young-people/child-labor-in-pakistan-young-people-essay.php 1/6
12/9/2019 Child Labor in Pakistan Essay

International Conventions: Pakistan is a party to ILO convention concerning minimum age of employment in the industry and UN convention fo

Through above legislatures and laws, and to some other timely regulations, the government of Pakistan is acting as an active community stakeh
Pakistan is suffering through political weaknesses, but still government is committed to take the work one step ahead.

CHILDREN PARLIAMENT OF PAKISTAN: The children’s parliament for Pakistan was launched on 14-Nov-08, by Society for the Protection of the
and promote child rights in the country. The members were elected from different schools of Peshawar, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Karachi, Lahore
this parliament are:

End child labor

Educate every child

Provide medical facilities to children

Protect the children

In addition, children parliament serves as their voice to convey the difficulties and problems faced by the children to government of Pakistan.

INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION: With the matter of child labor in Pakistan gaining international attention, ILO has fastened its steps t
Pakistan suspecting large amount of child labor. (International Programme for elimination of child labor)Based on the survey they come out wit
situations. Some of the latest surveys conducted by ILO in Pakistan are:

Survey on Child Labor in Kasur Tanneries in 2004

Survey on Child Labor in Glass Bangles industry in Hyderabad-2004

Survey on child labor in surgical instruments manufacturing industry in Sialkot

Survey on child labor in coal mine industries in Chakwal, Noshera and Shangla

ILO has also been working with the government of Pakistan guiding them from time to time on this issue. It is also acting as a watch dog, inspe

UNICEF: The name UNICEF needs no introduction. United Nation International Children’s Emergency Fund, a UN organization has consistently w
UNICEF conducts timely surveys to see the improvement in the case. The survey conducted by UNISEF in 2003, estimated that 8 million children
labors in brick kiln factories, carpet weaving centers, agriculture, small industries and domestic services. The survey also indicated that rural and
child labor was Punjab with nearly 60% of the total child labor population. UNICEF also set-up centers in the Pakistan, helping destitute children
UNICEF to promote the steps in eradication of child labor.

OTHER NGO’S SOCIETY AND MEDIA: This is another group of very important stakeholders in the issue of child labor in Pakistan. NGO’s like ACM
worked towards the development of children in Pakistan to eradicate child labor. Though the NGO’s in Pakistan don’t get proper funding from
do in crating awareness and providing elementary education to children is quite appreciable. Society and media as a whole has a major role to
dormant in the issue, but for the development of children in Pakistan society and media have to play a major part.

Poverty levels in Pakistan appear to necessitate that children work in order to allow the families to reach their target take-home pay. The lack o
and taken under consideration; the government also needs strict to inspect the strict implementation of laws made by it. Lack of education is a
of Pakistan has made policies for providing free elementary education to children, the policies need strict implementation to address the issue.
Media and NGO’s have to work in tandem to create awareness for the rights of the children in the country.

REFERENCES
(n.d.). Retrieved Aug 1, 2010, from www. unicef. org: www. unicef. org/ protection/ index_3717. html

Ahmad, M. (2001). Child Labor: A time to reflect. In M. Ahmad, Child Labor: A time to reflect. UNICEF.

Arshad, R. (n.d.). Child labor in Pakistan. Retrieved Aug 1, 2010, from http://www.hamariweb.com: http://www.hamariweb.com/articles/article.as

Child Labor at Distrcit Level. (2009, Sep). Retrieved August 1, 2010, from http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de: http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/173

H.Zaidi, H. (2004, Jan). Baseline survey report on child labor. Retrieved Aug 1, 2010, from http://www.ilo.org: http://www.ilo.org/ipecinfo/produc

International Programme for elimination of child labor. (n.d.). Retrieved Aug 1, 2010, from http://www.ilo.org: http://www.ilo.org/ipecinfo/produ
type=normal&title=&selectedMonthFrom=-1&productYearFrom=&selectedMonthTo=-1&selectedCountries=342&selectedMediaTypes=14&
dSortById=4

Pakistan. (n.d.). Retrieved Aug 1, 2010, from http://www.dol.gov: http://www.dol.gov/ilab/media/reports/iclp/sweat/pakistan.htm

Population census organization. (n.d.). Retrieved Aug 1, 2010, from http://www.statpak.gov.pk: http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/p

COMMUNITY PROGRAM TO ADDRESS CHILD LABOR IN PAKISTAN

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/young-people/child-labor-in-pakistan-young-people-essay.php 2/6
12/9/2019 Child Labor in Pakistan Essay

ABSTRACT
Child labor refers to the employment of children at regular and sustained labor. It is the full-time employment of children under a minimum leg
exploitative by many international organizations. (Child Labor at Distrcit Level, 2009)Child labor is one of the problems that occur as a result of
developed and emerging countries, use of children as labors is considered as violation of human rights and is outlawed, while some poorer and

In Pakistan, a country where almost half of the population lives below the poverty line, child labor is deeply entrenched and pressing phenome
primarily exists in the informal sector of employment and home-based industry. Pakistan’s high population growth of around 1.6% poses multi
economic development of the country.

The paper designs a community program to address the issue of child labor in Pakistan. It identifies various stakeholders in the issue and based
The paper also addresses potential challenges in the way of eradicating the child labor in Pakistan and ways for addressing the issue.

GOAL OF THE STUDY:

The primary goal of the study is identifying the trends in the issue if child labor in Pakistan. Based on the issue, paper intends to identify variou
to address the issue of child labor in Pakistan. It identifies various stakeholders in the issue and based on certain strategies and programs, inten
challenges in the way of eradicating the child labor in Pakistan and ways for addressing the issue.

The goals had been made keeping in mind the resources available in Pakistan to bring a social change. Political weakness in the economy of Pa
depends upon the working in conjunction of the stakeholders of the issue.

STRATEGIES TO BE ADOPTED
In order to eradicate child labor in Pakistan both preventive and corrective strategies are proposed. Successful intervention models are also fou
change requires relatively longer time frame and finally the change in total mind set and behavioral change requires the longest time. Intervent
age specific and gender equitable.

GENERAL AND POSITIVE ACTION STRATEGIES: The following general and positive action strategies are requires to be taken to address the issu

Change in attitude of stakeholders: Awareness campaigns, counseling sessions and advocacy workshops need to be geared towards parents fo
child labor concerning their children. The campaigns and counseling would highlight the alternatives of child labor, including non-formal and fo
benefits of schooling in terms of income and increased efficiency and guiding that child labor in many cases is futile with a very meager income

Similar services for gaining employers confidence would be arranged for building support for struggle in eliminating child labor. Carefully desig
arranged to restore the self esteem and dignity of labor. Labor Department working with industry should work with missionary zeal in order to

Poverty Alleviation: Numerous steps would be aimed at family’s alternative income generation and poverty. Poverty alleviation would be addre
organizations, various non-government agencies and Provincial, federal and district governments. The problem of child labor in Pakistan can be
through income generation projects for society and parents and through equitable and fair access to safety nets such as zakat funds and other

Poverty alleviation efforts of provincial and state governments PRSP (Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper) would coincide well with time-bound p

(Beig, 2004)The survey carried out by ILO in 2004 in coal mine industries in Chakwal, Noshera and Shangla revealed following figures:

Chakwal:
Category
Sample Plan
Actual Interview conducted
Working Children
450

126

Parents
12

16

Employers
60

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/young-people/child-labor-in-pakistan-young-people-essay.php 3/6
12/9/2019 Child Labor in Pakistan Essay

27

Total
522

169

Chirat/ Noshera:
Category
Sample Plan
Actual Interview conducted
Working Children
400

48

Parents
5

Employers
10

13

Total
415

65

Drop-out Survey:
Category
Sample Plan
Actual Interview conducted
School-going
150

250

Drop-outs
15

27

Parents
27

22

Teachers
40

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/young-people/child-labor-in-pakistan-young-people-essay.php 4/6
12/9/2019 Child Labor in Pakistan Essay

38

Total
212

337

Formal Schooling, Non-Formal Schooling and Vocational Training: (Kulsoom, 2009)Poverty being major reason for majority drop-outs, provisio
Formal school teachers need to be trained to adopt child friendly teaching methodologies and attitude in order to reduce risk of drop-outs. Ap
schools should include vocational training & health and safety education. NFE schools would be a really essential measure because to stop the
to be available with children.

Quality of education will also be enhanced and it needs to be attractive and relevant to help reduce the drop-out tendency in schools. Issues co
labor and gender biases needs to be incorporated into the educational curriculum of non-formal and formal schools for both male and female

Occupational health hazards and safety measures: Till the child labor is eliminated totally, the culture of occupational safety would be promoted
awareness-related advocacy seminars should be arranged at the worksites and at community level, would also be used for educating children a
education and its other positive alternatives. The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) study undertaken by ILO in 2004 also yielded detailed i
workshops would also be arranged on a sustainable basis for promoting norms and adopting preventive health measures.

Improved Legislative Measures: Steps would be taken for enforcement of existing labor laws. Till the child labor is completely eliminated, increa
government against the violation of their rights and against unsafe industrial practices including child labor. High powered mystery clients wou
departments and ILO monitors.

PARTNERSHIPS AND CAPACITY BUILDING: ILO would be requested to build strategic alliances with Non Governmental Organization in Pakistan
child labor issues to use them as catalyst-facilitators, monitors and trainers in working towards the common goal of eradicating child labor and
partnerships in Pakistan would be prompted till the operations are self sustained and fully streamlined. These partnerships would be supported
relevant international agencies such as UNICEF, UN department for Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and other stakeholders like NGOs, Media e
building of District level labor departments, Provincial planning, district governments and NGO’s. The aim of training would be to inculcate lear
the issue of child labor in Pakistan.

MEDIA SUPPORT: Various media like T.V, Press, and Internet media would be involved in the broad-based awareness regarding the child labor
education and communication materials would be created and would be disseminated to press and other media in order to win their support a
partner in the struggle against the child labor in Pakistan. Strategies will also be made to gain the confidence of electronic media through work

All the above strategies used for community engagement are based on the following model.

Different Stakeholders that are involved in this program of communit

Government of Pakistan
International Labor Organization (ILO)
United Nation International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
Society, especially parents of the children
UN Department for Assistance Framework (UNDAF)
Non Government Organizations (NGOs)
Schools and their staffs, especially teachers
Employers
Labor Union
Media in all forms
Children Themselves
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES AND THE ROAD AHEAD
Potential challenges in the way of making community engagement for eradicating child labor in Pakistan are:

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/young-people/child-labor-in-pakistan-young-people-essay.php 5/6
12/9/2019 Child Labor in Pakistan Essay

Weak Political and Economic Scenario in Pakistan: Pakistan is going through a period of weak political and economic scenario. So that will be th
an unstable economy implementing legislatures is a very difficult task. Also, making arrangements for funds in a weak political scenario become
program. For overcoming this challenge, fund needs to be raised from major corporate. They should be encouraged to fund the program as m
implementing the legislatures, proper alliance needs to be made between Government bodies and foreign bodies like ILO and UNICEF who are
legislatures formed.

Poverty: Poverty is another major challenge in the effectiveness of community engagement in Pakistan. Most families send their children to wo
not considering the pay of their children as the major factor would be really difficult. To overcome this challenge, workshops would be held and
child labor and benefits of elementary education for the future of their children.

Attitudes of Employers, Parents and Children: This is another challenge in the effectiveness of the community program. In various industries chi
about employing children by considering them as cheap labor would be difficult to change. Every business needs to be inspected at intervals a
attitude of the employees. Same would be the problem with Parents and children. This would be addressed by showing the ill-effects of child la

Though poverty levels in Pakistan appear to be a necessitate reason that children work in order to allow the families to reach their target take-h
the issue. The lack of economic opportunity for adult employment in Pakistan needs to be studied and taken under consideration; the governm
Lack of education is another reason for the high rate of child labor in Pakistan. Thought government of Pakistan has made policies for providin
to address the issue. Also, other stakeholders of the issue specially Children parliament, ILO, UNICEF, Media and NGO’s have to work in tandem

/ Essays / Young People

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/young-people/child-labor-in-pakistan-young-people-essay.php 6/6