Child labour is the worldwide
problem and it is the biggest matter of concern for our country too as future of
our new generation is going towards darkness due to this social evil. Instead of
enjoying their childhood, they are being forced, either because of the parental
selfishness or because of the lack of their basic needs for survival, to go for
work as labour on part time or full time basis at very low payment.
Percentage of child involved in Child labour
According to the National survey more than 13 million children are captivated in
this major crime in which girls are two times more than boys, who are obsessed
in this crime. Though, percentage ratio of the child labour has been decreased
in comparison to the last few years but still this crime is swallowing our new
generation’s future silently.
Areas where Child Labour Exists
There is a very huge working area in our country where child labour is thriving
like domestic services, agriculture, hotel and restaurants, entertainment
industry, coal mines, matchbox or firebox manufacturers, etc. This major crime
named as “child labour” is depriving under age children from getting basic
education or financially secure social life because children are involved in
this crime at very low age of 5 to 7 years.
Causes
Extreme poverty, uneducated people, high population, some time greediness of
their parents and also increasing demand for child labour due to their
compatible body structure required for hazardous and exploitative work area like
coal mines are the main cause of child labour.
Law and Penalty about Child Labour
Though many rules and acts are being formed and implemented time to time by the
government to prohibit the child labour or child slavery, but still this evil is
not banned completely in our country as according to the government rule
children with or under age 14 can do non hazardous work and above 14 can do
hazardous too. For this major crime, penalty for first offence is 50000 Rs. and
for subsequent attempt it varies between 1 to 3 years of imprisonment.
How to Stop Child Labour
Country’s economic development can completely eliminate this major issue of
child labour as in financially developed country, there would be no unemployment
issues for their parents and availability of required education centres, etc.
Childhood is the biggest important phase of a child’s life and considered as an
initial learning period for them which directly affects their future. Children
require love, care, education, health, morals and financially secure future from
their parents, and if a parent is not capable to give them such life; it gives
rise to the “child labour”. Several governmental and nongovernmental
organizations are working for saving every child’s future. As a citizen of the
country, we should also take necessary steps on our personal, professional and
social level to stop this problem “Child Labour” by not allowing children under
14 in our house hold activities and by complaining if we find under age children
working in nearby areas. These nongovernmental organizations (NGO’s) help needy
people in manner to provide them free education through various facilities such
as mid day meal, shelter, food, work options for their parents with healthy
environment, etc.
Syeda Aqsa Naseem
PAKISTAN (KARACHI)