Every year on Dec 2 ABOLITION
of Slavery Day is observed around the world. We living in Pakistan need to
analyse whether we were able to abolish slavery in our country. Millions are
still in slavery in the agriculture sector and brick kilns, and the Bonded
Labour System Abolition Act 1992 could not be implemented properly.
Those responsible for its implementation, for example district nazims and
coordination officers, are mostly feudal lords who have no interest in the
implementation of a law which can badly damage their personal interests,
particularly in Sindh and Punjab.
New forms of slavery such as domestic child labour and sale and trafficking of
women and children is on the rise.
What should be done? The spread of education and awareness, proper
implementation of the Bonded Labour System Abolition Act 1992 with strict
monitoring along with free and fair political system would be helpful in
improving the situation to some extent.
Political parties must also play a role in this regard since most of their
candidates for the national or provincial assemblies are feudals who promote
slavery and bondage.