Pakistan has children working at minimum wages in carpet manufacturing, surgical instruments and sports goods sectors.
KARACHI: Child labour is work that harms children and becomes a hurdle in the way of their education. Throughout the world, gaps between the rich and poor have forced many children into leaving their schools to find work. According to the International Labour Organisation, around 215 million children between the ages of five and 17 work under conditions that are illegal, hazardous or exploitative. If we were to pinpoint the exact ratio of these child labourers, then 53 per cent are found in Asia and 30 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa.
Pakistan has children working at minimum wages in the carpet manufacturing, surgical instruments and sports goods sectors. In 1996, the US GSP programme to remove duties on items being imported into US was withdrawn for Pakistan, enormously affecting our local industries and — consequently — economic growth. Pakistan is still considered to be one of the top ten countries in the world as far as child labour is concerned. It is imperative for the Pakistan government to take note of this if it wants to build its reputation in the international community.
Warisha Najam
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2013.
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