Periscope on Pakistan

Periscope on Pakistan

The Indian Express brings you clippings from the Pak media

For a better deal for the country's 3.3 million child workers
lDAWN: Proponents of the argument that child labour is a necessary evil in a country like Pakistan would do well to consider some of the recommendations contained in reports compiled by various NGOs about how it is possible to contain this violation of the rights of children.

It is true that child labour cannot be avoided in a country where 30 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line. Nevertheless, working within the framework of an overall poverty elimination programme that could phase out child labour, certain measures can be introduced to provide children with better working conditions as well as facilities that could enhance their future prospects.

Currently, the number of child labourers in the country is estimated at 3.3 million although the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan puts this figure at around 12 million. As things stand, it is difficultto introduce a single programme to eliminate child labour in the country. Children not only work for regular employers but may also be forced to take up odd jobs to supplement meagre family incomes.

In the latter case, it would perhaps be more difficult to introduce changes that would have a positive bearing on the working conditions and environment as well as the future prospects of the child. But it may be easier to start out with a programme towards the welfare of the child labourer in the context of industries where some of the gravest abuses of child rights occur.

Children are exposed to all manner of health hazards, ranging from the inhalation of poisonous fumes or handling of toxic substances to performing rigorous physical labour that leaves their tiny, fragile bodies fatigued and bruised. Also, their wages are a fraction of what their adult counterparts performing the same level of work receive. Moreover, there is no scope for personal growth for these youngsters who are putting in all theprecious years of childhood into carrying out back-breaking tasks. Many young workers are also abused and treated harshly at work and granted little leisure time for other activities.

Under these conditions, it is imperative that the authorities constitute inspection teams consisting of both government officials and representatives of independent organizations to keep a regular check on the plight of the young employees, and penalise factory owners who do not comply with labour laws. On the other hand, some form of incentives must be offered to industries that offer a healthy working environment and that organize literacy classes or vocational training for their child workers besides rendering monetary assistance to their families.

The good news is that perceptions are changing, albeit slowly, and projects undertaken to reduce the suffering of child workers have by and large been successful. However, the authorities must come to terms with the fact that child labour is not just a term the West uses tojustify its rejection of Pakistani goods. It is a very real issue that has far-reaching implications.