The hiring of child labours is one of the most serious problems in Pakistan. It means children are employed in work that takes away their childhood, education, health and dignity. Light work that does not harm a child’s health or education can be acceptable. However, when children are forced to work long hours in dangerous places, miss school, or suffer physical and emotional pain, it becomes child labour.
Child labours are present in agriculture, brick kilns, carpet weaving, domestic service, workshops, hotels, roadside stalls, garbage collection and factories. In rural areas, children often work in fields, helping their families in farming, harvesting and caring for animals. In cities, children polish shoes, sell items on the streets, wash cars, work in mechanic shops or serve tea in hotels. Some are domestic workers in homes. Many of these children work long hours for very low wages. Some do not receive wages at all because they are helping their families repay debts.
In Pakistan, child labour is closely linked to poverty, lack of education, weak law enforcement, population growth and social inequality. Despite laws and international promises, millions of children are still engaged in different kinds of labour. Reports show that millions of children between the ages of 5 and 17 are involved in labour. When families cannot afford food, rent and other basic needs, they send their children to work. In many homes, children’s earnings are necessary for survival. Parents may feel they have no other choice. But child labourers also have rights in the country and as equal human beings, we should give them their rights. The government should take care of such children and support them by offering them education free of cost and by setting up organisations that can help families struggling to make ends meet.
Azizullah Munir
Kulahoo
