Child labour

Child Labour Over Reviw

Child labor remains a pressing issue in many developing and underprivileged nations, where children are compelled to work under harsh and exploitative conditions, often at the expense of their education and well-being. Addressing this problem requires a comprehensive approach that combines social, economic, and legal measures to protect the rights of children and provide them with opportunities for education and development. Some strategies to eliminate child labor include:
Strengthening Legal Frameworks: Enact and enforce laws that prohibit child labor and provide penalties for violators. Additionally, implementing regulations that ensure the protection of children's rights and their access to education can significantly curb exploitative labor practices.

Promoting Education: Make education accessible and affordable for all children, especially those from marginalized communities. By ensuring that children have access to quality education, they are less likely to be engaged in exploitative labor and can develop skills that contribute to their future employment prospects.

Creating Social Safety Nets: Establish social programs and initiatives that provide support to vulnerable families, including access to healthcare, nutritional assistance, and financial aid. Empowering families economically can reduce their reliance on child labor as a means of income generation.

Raising Awareness: Conduct educational campaigns to raise awareness about the negative impacts of child labor on children's physical and psychological well-being. Educate communities, parents, and employers about the importance of children's rights and the long-term benefits of investing in their education and development.

Empowering Communities: Engage local communities and stakeholders in the fight against child labor by encouraging the development of sustainable livelihood options and vocational training programs for adults. By creating alternative income-generating opportunities, families can escape the cycle of poverty that often perpetuates child labor.

Monitoring and Enforcement: Implement mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing compliance with child labor laws and regulations. This includes establishing labor inspection systems and empowering regulatory authorities to conduct regular inspections in industries where child labor is prevalent.

International Collaboration: Foster international cooperation and partnerships to address the global issue of child labor. Collaborate with international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders to share best practices, resources, and expertise in combating child labor on a global scale.

Eliminating child labor requires a concerted effort from governments, civil society, and the international community to create a sustainable and nurturing environment for children, where their rights are protected, and their well-being is prioritized.

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Pakistan Ranking in child labour

According to the International work Organisation (ILO), the prevalence of child work among individuals aged 5-17 years is most pronounced in India, with a recorded figure of 5.8 million. Following India, Bangladesh records the second greatest number of child labourers at 5.0 million, while Pakistan and Nepal report figures of 3.4 million and 2.0 million respectively.

UNICEF Pakistan

UNICEF endeavours to advance and safeguard the rights and welfare of children and women in Pakistan. Since the year 1948, there has been a consistent effort to provide essential services such as education, health care, nutrition, protection, water supply, sanitation, and hygiene to individuals who are particularly disadvantaged, with the aim of resolving disparities in each of these domains.

Law prohibiting child labour

In absolute terms, child labour for the 5-17 years age range is highest in India (5.8 million), followed by Bangladesh (5.0 million), Pakistan (3.4 million) and Nepal (2.0 million), as reported by Internaitoanl labour Organistaion(ilo)
According to Article 11(3) of the Constitution of Pakistan, it is explicitly stated that the utilisation of individuals under the age of fourteen in any factory, mine, or other forms of hazardous employment is strictly prohibited.
The Employment of minors Act The Employment of minors Act, enacted in 1991, serves as the primary legislation governing the employment of minors in specific occupations and processes. As per Section 3 Part II of the legislation, the term "child" is defined as an individual who has not yet reached the age of fourteen. This law establishes guidelines pertaining to the employment of minors in occupations that are considered to be less hazardous. This legislation regulates the entitlements of individuals, encompassing aspects such as the duration of their working hours and the provision of rest intervals, among others. The Act enacted in 1992, known as the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, prohibits the practise of coerced labour and renders all manifestations of bonded labour illegal. This legislative measure is a significant milestone in Pakistan's historical record of labour exploitation, as it has resulted in the liberation of several individuals who were previously subjected to bonded labour. Before the enactment of the aforementioned legislation, it was not possible to initiate any legal proceedings to seek redress for bond debt, as all obligations on the side of the individuals subjected to bonded labour were rendered void.
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What are the major reasons of child labor in Pakistan?

The prevalence of poverty seems to compel youngsters to engage in labour activities in order to assist their families in achieving their desired level of income. The competitive advantage enjoyed by manufacturers in the Western marketplace is largely attributed to the affordability of child labour, which allows them to provide lower prices compared to competitors from countries that have implemented prohibitions on child labour.

Child labour

Approximately 3.3 million children in Pakistan are ensnared in the practise of child labour, resulting in the deprivation of their fundamental rights to a proper childhood, adequate healthcare, and education. Consequently, these children are condemned to a future plagued by poverty and destitution. The data suggests that approximately 25% of women between the ages of 20 and 49 entered into marriage before to reaching the age of 15, while 31% were married before turning eighteen.
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