Break the cycle: ‘Suicide bombers worst example of child labour’

PESHAWAR:

Speakers at the seminar ‘No to Child Labour’ underscored the importance of a joint effort from all stakeholders, including civil society, the government and media to put an end to child labour.

The event which took place at the Peshawar Press Club (PPC) on World Day against Child Labour was arranged by the Provincial Child Labour Unit (PCLU) and International Labour Organization (ILO).

The chief guest, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) lawmaker Meraj Humayun Khan, spoke about the birth of the child labour movement in Pakistan. It started in coordination with the ILO in 1994; over the years repeated efforts have been made to bring all stakeholders onboard to address this very pressing issue.

An increase in underage employment can be attributed to population explosion and a faulty education system. She added the standard of education had reached a new low and people who do manage to complete their schooling are not capable of competing in the job market.

“Child marriages and suicide bombers are the worst examples of child labour prevalent in Pakistani society,” continued Meraj.

“There are no reports from the population department as to why it failed to curb population growth.” Meraj pointed out the booming population was one major reason behind rising poverty which eventually led to more children staying out of school and in illegal occupation.

The lawmaker now intends to take up the pending legislation on child labour which was brought to the floor of the assembly towards the end of the last government’s tenure.

In his remarks, K-P Labour Department Additional Secretary Dr Ahsan Shah said the civil society, government and media can work together to resolve this flagrant violation of human rights.

Child Welfare Foundation deputy chief Ijaz Ahmed Khan shared that his organisation set up child protection units in eight districts of the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2013.