K-P unveils shocking child labour data
Hiring child labour is an old-time practice in the country, numbering in the millions. PHOTO: FILE
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Labour Department has unveiled its inaugural Child Labour Survey 2022-23, marking a key moment in the province’s efforts to understand and address the critical issue of child labor.
This comprehensive survey covered all districts of K-P, including the recently merged ones, providing a nuanced look into the prevalence and conditions of child labor. The findings, disclosed during a well-attended event featuring various stakeholders, shed light on the grim reality that 11.1 percent of children in the province are engaged in labor.
Read Statistics paint alarming child labour picture
Representing the second provincial survey in Pakistan after Punjab, the event brought together government departments, UN agencies, donors, academia, and civil society organizations. The survey, conducted by the Labour Department, collected data from 49,734 households, encompassing 5,976 urban and 43,758 rural settings.
Despite facing challenges such as harsh weather and security issues, particularly in the newly merged districts, the survey achieved an impressive response rate of 92.5 percent.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 26th, 2024.