‘Survey will aid in eradicating child labour’

Punjab Minister for Labour stresses upon society to play its due role beside national institutions to help the victims

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Labour Ansar Majeed Khan on Friday released the latest facts and figures on brick kilns child labour on the occasion of World Day against Child Labour.

The provincial minister, during the raids conducted on 27,465 brick kilns, as many as 1,116 owners of 1,565 kilns were arrested and cases were registered against them by sealing 246 kilns.

Under the child labour act, 70,828 organisations were inspected and 778 owners were arrested in 2,470 cases. The provincial minister disclosed that a comprehensive survey on child labour was being conducted by the provincial government, in collaboration with UNICEF, and was expected to be completed in the next few months. “This survey will prove to be very helpful for the agencies working to eradicate child labour from the province.”

The provincial minister further said that depriving innocent children from their right to get education and forcing them into physical labour was a serious crime. “Efforts are being made to stop child labour and we will no longer allow it to continue.”

He stressed upon society to play its due role besides national institutions to help the victims of child labour in imparting education.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2020.