ILO declared Pakistan as the third-largest country to carry the issue of child labour
RAWALPINDI: The Pakistani Constitution states that a child below the age of 14 or 16 is not responsible for the livelihood of his family without being provided basic rights of education and a dignified standard of living. Child labour is the impetuous use of a man’s power, which is inimical to the right of freedom of any child.
Unfortunately, the International Labour Organisation declared Pakistan as the third-largest country to carry the issue of child labour, with 12.5 million children involved in the workforce. Ranging from work in the industrial sector, manufacturing, trafficking, domestic services, it has become a social norm to be served by a child. We are all equally participating in depriving children of their basic and natural need to grow into a good and respected adults by killing their aims and wishes.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child contends that a child needs to have freedom from discrimination or any physical or mental abuse. A child should also have freedom of thought, speech, expression and freedom to play and feel relaxed with participation in the social and political life of a country.
Henceforth, the burden that we have put on our children must be lifted. A strong and healthy manpower cannot be developed without giving children their rights. There are laws in the country against child labour; the need of the hour is to implement those laws.
Maimoona Khaliq
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2016.
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