A major issue throughout the world, especially in Third World countries
KARACHI: As a society we need to be more aware of the underlying systems that are set in place to deliberately create fissures and divide among the people. Today Pakistan is facing a lot of social problems but some are more common than others. They are destroying the society and also the economy of Pakistan.
Harmful acts like corruption and money laundering lead to illiteracy, population growth, terrorism, smuggling, drug abuse and many other forms of evil in society. But perhaps the issue that has been underrated for a long time is that of child labour. This practice has become a major issue throughout the world, especially in Third World countries, like Pakistan. This international problem is exacerbating with every passing day because a large number of children are forced to work, which is completely against ethics and the principles of natural justice. According to the United Nations International Children Emergency Funds, there are approximately 158 million children between the ages 5 and 15 working as child labour worldwide. Child labourers are working not by choice but by force of circumstance. Parents force their children to work. In many cases children are smuggled around the world so that they can be used for labour. They are the victims of their circumstances and we are taking benefit of their innocence and age. These children are working as labourers from school-going age so that their families are able to afford basic necessities. The government should provide the basic rights to these children and should also help them in getting education. There should be awareness campaigns that discourage such practices.
The problem of child labour continues to pose a challenge for the nation. The government has been taking various pro-active measures to tackle this problem. However, considering the magnitude and extent of the problem, it is essentially a socio-economic problem inextricably linked to poverty and illiteracy. It requires concerted efforts from the entire society to make a dent in the problem.
Samana Zehra Rizvi
Published in The Express Tribune, September 30th, 2019.
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