Child labour in Pakistan

By Ali Nawaz Rahimoo
Child labour is a major social problem in Pakistan, with millions of children working in various industries, such as agriculture, domestic service, and manufacturing. According to a 2018 report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), an estimated 12.5 million children aged between 5 and 14 years are engaged in child labour in Pakistan. Child labour is prevalent in both rural and urban areas of Pakistan, with poverty being a significant factor that forces families to send their children to work. Children who work in hazardous and exploitative conditions are at risk of physical and psychological harm, and they are often deprived of education, healthcare, and other basic rights. The government of Pakistan has taken several measures to address child labour, including enacting laws and policies, launching awareness campaigns, and establishing institutions to protect children's rights. However, the implementation of these measures remains weak, and child labour continues to be a significant challenge in the country. Child labour is a major social problem in Pakistan, with millions of children working in various industries, such as agriculture, domestic service, and manufacturing. According to a 2018 report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), an estimated 12.5 million children aged between 5 and 14 years are engaged in child labour in Pakistan. Child labour is prevalent in both rural and urban areas of Pakistan, with poverty being a significant factor that forces families to send their children to work. Children who work in hazardous and exploitative conditions are at risk of physical and psychological harm, and they are often deprived of education, healthcare, and other basic rights. The government of Pakistan has taken several measures to address child labour, including enacting laws and policies, launching awareness campaigns, and establishing institutions to protect children's rights. However, the implementation of these measures remains weak, and child labour continues to be a significant challenge in the country. The international community, including the United Nations and various NGOs, is also working to combat child labour in Pakistan by supporting education initiatives, providing vocational training, and advocating for policy changes to protect children's rights. 

The Pakistani government has enacted several laws and policies to combat child labour in the country. Some of the major laws and policies related to child labour in Pakistan are:
The Constitution of Pakistan: The Constitution of Pakistan prohibits the employment of children under the age of 14 years in any factory, mine, or other hazardous employment.
The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1992: This law prohibits bonded labour and the employment of children in bonded labour.
The Factories Act 1934: The Factories Act sets out the rules and regulations for the employment of workers in factories, including the prohibition of child labour in factories.
The Mines Act 1923: The Mines Act prohibits the employment of children in mines.
The Employment of Children Act 1991: This law prohibits the employment of children under the age of 14 years in any occupation or industry. The Punjab Restriction on Employment of Children Act 2016: This law prohibits the employment of children under the age of 15 years in any profession or trade, including domestic work. The Sindh Prohibition of Employment of Children Act 2017: This law prohibits the employment of children under the age of 14 years in any occupation or industry. Despite the existence of these laws, child labour remains a significant challenge in Pakistan due to weak enforcement and implementation. The government and civil society organizations need to work together to ensure that these laws are effectively implemented and enforced to protect children's rights and prevent child labour in the country. The international community, including the United Nations and various NGOs, is also working to combat child labour in Pakistan by supporting education initiatives, providing vocational training, and advocating for policy changes to protect children's rights.

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