Despite the prohibition of child labor in Pakistan, with several laws requiring action against employers, millions of children are currently employed across various sectors in the country. According to the first Child Labour Survey for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in 2022-23, 922,314 children, constituting 11.1% of the province’s child population, are involved in work.
The prevalence of poverty, coupled with the absence of social protection and welfare, forces families to send their children to work instead of school. The report identifies several factors contributing to this, including the head of the household having little or no education, the household benefiting from BISP’s assistance, the head of the household having migrated, and the household having lost at least one parent.
Child labor has detrimental effects on children’s overall development and well-being, as they miss out on education and often experience varying degrees of violence and abuse. Many of these individuals struggle to secure well-paying jobs, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and illiteracy into adulthood.
This not only hinders innovation, development, and growth but also places a burden on the country’s economy. Child labor also contributes significantly to societal problems such as homelessness, disease, trafficking, and crime, necessitating ongoing government spending and efforts to address these interconnected challenges.
Labour Secretary Mohammad Fakhr-e Alam states that the report will be used as evidence to formulate policy reforms and programs aimed at eradicating child labor and providing children with equal opportunities for education and development.
While these reforms can be crucial in protecting and safeguarding children’s futures, it is essential to implement strict rules and regulations regarding children’s employment in various sectors. In addition to addressing the root causes of child labor, creating an environment that ensures the safety and prosperity of the nation’s future builders is imperative.
