Labour dept steps up child labour eradication efforts

58 FIRs registered against owners of restaurants, brick kilns, commercial organisations

JARANWALA:

The Labour Welfare Department of Faisalabad Division registered 58 FIRs against owners of restaurants, hotels, brick kilns, commercial organisations, and factories in 2024 as part of its campaign to eliminate underage child labour, said Ghulam Shabbir Kalyar, Director of Labour Welfare Faisalabad Division.

Addressing an interactive session with journalists, Kalyar highlighted the department's achievements in combating child labour in line with the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.

He emphasised that the complete eradication of child labour remains a target under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations, with a 2030 deadline.

"Child labour is a societal menace, and its eradication requires collective efforts from the district administration, law enforcement agencies, and civil society," Kalyar said.

He outlined the department's ongoing efforts, including regular inspections of factories, industrial units, and commercial establishments by its field staff.

To raise awareness about child labour, banners and panaflexes have been displayed at key public locations and factory entrances.

The department conducted 947 inspections across Faisalabad Division under the Punjab Restriction on Employment of Children Act 2016 and the Punjab Prohibition of Child Labour at Brick Kilns Act 2016.

The inspections were carried out with the cooperation of district administrations and police departments, resulting in the registration of 58 FIRs.

Of these, 17 cases were filed against parents of underage children, who were identified as victims of forced child labour.

Monthly district vigilance committee meetings, chaired by the deputy commissioner, have also been instrumental in addressing child labour concerns and implementing concrete measures for its eradication.

Despite these efforts, Baba Latif Ansari, Chairman of the Labour Qaumi Movement, disputed the Labour Department's claims.

He alleged that over 50,000 children below the age of 14 continue to work in the commercial markets surrounding Faisalabad's iconic Clock Tower intersection.

"Fudged figures are being presented by labour officials to higher authorities," Ansari claimed.