Introduction

There has been a long history of injustices and exploitation of children.  Economic exploitation of children and child labour are one of the worst forms of child abuse and neglect in the world. In order to protect and promote children’s rights, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC) in 1989 to facilitate the optimum growth and development of the child. Pakistan is a signatory to the CRC. Thus, through its Constitution, Pakistan has ensured child protection, yet the efforts to protect children’s right are questionable. Article 11 (1) forbids slavery and states that no law shall permit or facilitate its introduction into Pakistan in any form. Article 11 (2) prohibits all forms of forced labour and traffic in human beings, similarly, article 11 (3) prohibits employment of children below the age of 14 years in any factory or mine or any other hazardous employment. Despite a recent series of laws prohibiting child labour and indentured servitude, children make up a quarter of the unskilled work force, and can be found in virtually every factory, every workshop and every field. They earn on average a third of the adult wage. Child labour is a result of different economic and social factors. It has its roots in poverty, lack of educational and economic opportunities, high rate of population growth, unemployment, uneven distribution of wealth and social customs and disregard for child rights.

This article discusses the prevalence of child labour in our society, provides an understanding of child labour, its causes and its effects on children and society and suggests possible recommendations to bring an end to child labour.

Prevalence of child labour in our society

According to the World Development Indicators Database (2006), Pakistan the sixth most populous country in the world with 155.8 million people, is ranked as a low income country. According to a study conducted by National Council for Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD) cited in Akhtar and Razzaq (2005) in 6 major cities of Pakistan, eight percent of the total working children are engaged as domestic servants. Thus, this number is consistent with the ILO and UNICEF studies as a Federal Bureau of Statistics (1996) study estimated 3 million child workers in Pakistan. At least half these children are under the age of ten. Certain industries, notably carpet making and brick making, cannot survive without them, while a large proportion of children are working invisibly in the informal sector.

Child labour is spread all over Pakistan but has the greatest impact in the north-west of Punjab especially Sialkot. Pakistan has a population of approximately 1 million and is an important centre for the production of goods for export to international markets, particularly sporting goods. Sialkot is one of the world’s most important centres for production of sporting goods.

Child labour exists in Sialkot both in the export sector and the domestic sector. This fact has been well documented and reported by the international media for several years but nothing has been done about it. In Pakistan, though it is clearly documented that child labour is against the law, the government is reluctant to do anything about it. Provision for education is very limited, due to the fact that very low priority is given to education in the national budgets. Education receives around 3% of the total gross domestic product. Gender and other forms of discrimination add to the lack of political will, gives a clear picture of the existence of child labour in Pakistan.

What is Child Labour?

Not all work done by children is considered as child labour. Children’s participation in work that does not affect their health and personal development or interfere with their schooling is generally regarded as being something positive. This includes activities such as helping their parents around the home, assisting in a family business or earning pocket money outside school hours and during school holidays.

The term “child labour” is often defined as work that is done by children which restricts or damages their physical, emotional, intellectual, social or spiritual growth as children, and which denies them their right to develop, play or go to school. It refers to work that:

• is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children; and
• interferes with their schooling:
  • by depriving them of the opportunity to attend school;
  • by requiring them to work excessive hours and do heavy work.

In its most extreme forms, child labour involves children being enslaved, separated from their families, exposed to serious hazards and illnesses and/or left to fend for themselves– often at a very early age. (Adapted from: Inter-parliamentary Union/International Labour Office, 2002) 

Causes of Child Labour

Children start work when they are too young, or take on work that is hazardous, for many reasons. Children in developing countries, especially Pakistan, start working because their families need the extra income. Many end up working unpaid for their employers in exchange for food and boarding. In order to combat child labour, it is important to understand the forces that give rise to it.