Written by:
Syeda um-e-zahra ,Ahmed Sajid, Hammad Awan, Zaid Riaz, Qazi Bilal, Zainab
Regards : Mam ayesha malik
ABSTRACT:
Child labour is a serious issue affecting many children around the world . Due to poverty, many families send their children to work instead of school. Weak laws and poor enforcement allow employes to hire children for very low pay. In some communities, child labour is seen as normal, making it even harder to stop. This article explains the main reasons behind child labour and how it affects children’s education and well-being. It also discusses the efforts of organizations, to reduce child labour and help children get an education. The goal is to create a future where every child in Pakistan can enjoy a safe childhood free from burdens of work.
Child labour is the exploitation of children through any form of work that interferes with their ability to attend regular school,or is mentally ,physically ,socially and morally harmful .Such exploitation is prohibited by legislation worldwide. Globally, child labour is also more common in rural areas, with most child labour taking place in the agriculture sector child labour remains a persistent problem in the world today. The latest global estimates indicate that some 160 million children were engaged in child labour at the beginning of 2020 – accounting for nearly 1 in 10 children globally Roughly 63 million girls and 97 million boys worldwide are estimated to be in child labour, according to the latest data from early 2020.
FORMS OF CHILD LABOUR
• Slavery or Similar Practices: Involves the ownership of individuals, treating them as property, and forcing them to work without any control over their circumstances. Slaves are often held against their will and lack the freedom to refuse work
• Child Trafficking: The illegal trading of children involves activities such as buying, selling, and moving children for labor or sexual exploitation. Trafficked children may be coerced or forced into various forms of work against their will.
• Forced Recruitment into Armed Conflict: Children are compelled or coerced into participating in armed conflicts, serving in roles such as soldiers, scouts, cooks, guards, or messengers. This is a blatant violation of human rights.
• Drug Production and Trafficking or Other Illegal Acts: Children are involved in the production and trafficking of drugs or engaged in other illegal activities. This often exposes them to dangerous conditions, addiction, and the risk of criminal repercussions.
• Hazardous Work that Can Cause Injury or Moral Corruption :Involves engaging children in work that poses risks to their health, safety, or morals. This could include physically demanding or dangerous work that interferes with their normal development.
• Involvement in Illicit Activities: Children may be exploited for various criminal activities, such as theft, burglary, drug production, and trafficking. Organized crime gangs can groom and exploit children, exposing them to addiction and other risks.
• Agricultural Labor : Child labor is concentrated in agriculture, with children engaged in farming, fishing, livestock, forestry, and aquaculture. Poverty often drives children into agricultural labor, and any work that interferes with schooling or harms their health is considered exploitation.
• Mining: Thousands of children globally work in mines, extracting materials like cobalt, salt, gold, and mica. Conditions in mines are often harsh, with long hours, exposure to toxic substances, and inadequate safety measures.
• Factory Work: Children may be exploited in factories where they face poor ventilation, exposure to toxic materials, and hazardous machinery. Instances of child labor have been reported in various industries, including meatpacking plants.
• Domestic Work: Involves various tasks and services within households. Exploitation occurs when children work at ages younger than legal limits, face hazardous conditions, or when their domestic work interferes with education. Domestic work exploitation is sometimes “hidden” as children are expected to contribute to the household.
CAUSES OF CHILD LABOUR
• Poverty: Families struggling to make ends meet may rely on their children’s income.
• Lack of Education: Limited access to education or poor school quality can make work seem like a better option.
• Discrimination: Children from marginalized communities may face more barriers to education and opportunities.
• Weak Enforcement of Laws: Insufficient laws or poor enforcement can allow child labor to persist.
• Demand for Cheap Labor: Industries that rely on cheap labor may contribute to the problem.
• Conflict and Displacement: Wars and natural disasters can force children into labor to survive.
EFFECTS OF CHILD LABOUR
• Physical and mental health: Children who work are at increased risk of injuries, illnesses, and developmental problems. psychological They may suffer from fatigue, malnutrition, stunted growth, and Physical and Mental Health trauma.
In agriculture, children may handle toxic fertilizers and pesticides, posing risks to their respiratory and overall health.
In mining, exposure to explosives and poisonous chemicals, coupled with the danger of mine collapses, increases the likelihood of severe injuries
• Education: Child labor often prevents children from attending school, depriving them of the opportunity to learn and develop their skills. This can have long-term consequences for their future earning potential and overall well-being.
• Exploitation and Abuse: Children working in hazardous or exploitative conditions are vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and trafficking. They may be forced to work long hours, in dangerous environments, and without proper compensation.
• Poverty Cycle: Child labor can perpetuate poverty cycles, as children who are denied education and opportunities are less likely to escape poverty later in life.
SOLUTIONS:
• Poverty Reduction: Investing in poverty reduction programs, providing access to basic necessities, and creating economic opportunities for families can reduce the need for children to work.
• Education: Expanding access to quality education, particularly for marginalized communities, can empower children and equip them with the skills they need to succeed.
• Enforcement of Laws: Strengthening and enforcing child labor laws, including penalties for violators, is crucial to deter exploitation.
• Social Protection: Providing social safety nets like child allowances and healthcare can help families cope with poverty and reduce the need for child labor.
• Raising Awareness: Educating the public about the harmful effects of child labor and promoting ethical consumerism can create demand for products that are not made using child labor.
• International Cooperation: Global collaboration is essential to address transnational child labor, including sharing best practices and providing financial assistance to developing countries.
Ultimately, ending child labor requires a collective effort from governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals to create a world where all children can enjoy their childhood and reach their full potential.
ORGANIZATIONAL WORK IN PAKISTAN TO REDUCE CHILD LABOUR
Several organizations are working in Pakistan to reduce child labour. Factories are now registered with provincial social security programs which offer free school facilities for children of workers and free hospital treatment.
Save the Children has also worked on projects with the British Secretary of State for International Development to phase out child labour in Sialkot
Publications Other NGOs that have worked on the issue of child labour in Pakistan include organisations such as UNICEF.UNICEF supported the NCCWD, drafting of the Child Protection Law and the Child Protection Policy, and initiated the establishment of the Child Protection Monitoring and Data Collecting System.
Many other NGOs such as ROZAN, SPARC and Shaheen Welfare Trust have worked to protect children.
CONCLUSION
Child labor is a stain on our collective conscience. It robs children of their childhood, their education, and their future. We must all work together – governments, businesses, communities, and individuals – to ensure that every child has the opportunity to live a life free from exploitation and hardship. Only then can we truly build a world where every child has the chance to thrive.
