Child Labour means the employment of children who have not reached the legal age for working.
“Every child has a right to education.”
(Martin Mogwanja)
This is very shameful that even in this modern age of advancement, millions of children are under the heavy burden of work when they are supposed to be learning at a school or colleges. These children are working at the age where they should enjoy their lives without stress. Child labour in all over the world is a socially accepted crime and it is a social problem of Asia, Africa or other developing countries.
Our country, Pakistan is an under developing country. Most of the parents, due to poverty, ask their children to earn which is very stressful for them. But, our country is not the only one to have been suffering from the curse of child labour. It exists all over the world. Due to poverty, the children have to earn money to fulfill their own and their family’s needs. Child Labour exists in many worst forms in Pakistan. About 3.3 million of Pakistani children are trapped in child labour. Most child labourers are male with a family size of 5-8 members ,have never attended any school and living in a family whose monthly income is less than 8000 Pakistani rupees.
CAUSES OF CHILD LABOUR:-
The children start work when they are too young, or take on work that is hazardous, for many reasons. Children in developing countries especially in Pakistan start working because their parents and families need extra income.
The major cause of child labour is poverty which is the main reason of it. Due to the economic crisis, adult workers are not paid enough to support their families and sometimes,even the wages of both parents incomes are insufficient to keep their family housed, clothed and fed.
Cultural context and beliefs:- are also the main cause of child labour. In Pakistan, it is believed that the children should share family responsibilities by assisting their parents with household chores or family business or occupations such as farming and trading at early ages. Most of the children are also expected to assist their parents’ financially.
Overpopulation is another cause with limited resources and more mouths to feed, children are employed in various forms of work.
Cheap Labour:- is easily available in developing countries like Pakistan. Poverty driven children are an easy prey for those who seek to make a profit by exploiting this.
The illiterate parents do not realise the need for a proper physical, emotional and cognitive development of a child.
Workers rights are repressed they are deprived from their basic rights and these poor workers are treated unfair and giving them little money.Due to which their basic needs are not fulfilling so their children are forced to do struggle or hard work at early ages.
Also there are many other child who do not take interest in their studies and do not pay heed on their studies so their parents ask them to do some work to earn their living.
Lack of access to quality education: Going to schools is no longer an option in hands for million of children because there is a lack of funding to sponsor the educational projects supported by Organisations and governments also do not pay much attention towards this issue especially in rural regions or under developing.
EFFECTS OF CHILD LABOUR:-
Child labour effects the children mentally and physically very badly and they suffer from physical and mental torture because of over-burden of work at very early ages.
Due to child labour,the children become mentally and emotionally mature too fast which is a dangerous sign and effects their mental health.
The children have to earn from their very adult ages.Apart from destroying their future,it also effects their health very badly. The child labour effects the physical health like physical growth, work related illness, HIV infection, eyestrain, Tuberculosis, systematic symptoms and many other problems.
“ Children who work do not have the opportunity to participate in activities that re the crucial part of growing up, such as playing, going to school and socialising with their peers”. (Miss. Cassandra Fernades Faria)
There are also many harms of child labour such as when the children works with dangerous machinery, equipment and tools, it can also damage their living.
Also, working of child in an unhealthy environment which exposes them substances, agents or processes and vibrations might damage their health.
Child labour deprives a child of a proper childhood. It is present in many worst forms because millions of children are found doing work that is illegal and abusive. The worst forms include children involved in slavery (forced labour),drugs (illegal activities) and also suffers from commercial sexual exploitation.
Child labour effects some children to steal things from others in order to fulfil their basic needs. They suffer from physical, psychological or sexual abuse.
REMEDIES OF CHILD LABOUR:-
The government could stop child labour by making it illegal to work under a certain age but in some countries,companies and the government only want money and use children to make more profit.
Another way to stop the child labour is for everybody around the world to step up and help make changes in the way we choose our food, and only choose from brands of fair trade.
Strict laws should be made for punishing people who employ child labourers.
Giving financial aid for poor children for higher education.
Providing more employment so that parents never send their children to earn money.
Another way to stop the child labour is to step up in our own country and not support brands that use child labour because if we bring down their sales they sales they will do anything to get their money back, and that means ending child labour.
Child labour is a fact of life for children and it is an issue that effectsall of us in many countries. It is also a duty of everyone to contribute to stop the child labour. Governments, trade unions, teachers, parents children and organisations have a huge responsibility in this regard.