The aspects due to which a
child is compelled to adopt early employment are various. They include poverty,
deprivation from social norms and values, absence of protection etc. Pakistan
has every form of labour, ranging from domestic, agriculture, and industrial
employment. The content of child labour remains the same in urban as well as in
rural systems; however, the fact of the matter remains that household poverty,
along with the absence of safety nets force poorest households to have their
children engaged in every form of child labour, be it hazardous or
non-hazardous.
The Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan states: "No child below the age
of fourteen, shall be engaged in any factory or mine or in any other hazardous
employment." Also, "All forms of forced labour and traffic in human beings is
prohibited." According to this convention, State Parties recognize the right of
the child to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any
work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's education,
or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or
social development.
But the situation is quite contrary!! We witnessed this nuisance at the very
beginning of this year with the death of a 12 year old house maid Shazia, who
was allegedly tortured by his employers, resulting in her death. At an age when
a child has to learn so much and he/she has to seek such things which are
necessary for mental and personality grooming, they wander on roadsides and work
in factories, mines and houses, for a one time meal. Despite getting the basic
needs, they are pushed towards death just because they are socially weak and
poor and have no one to provide shelter or back them up.
Government has off and on been urged to take prompt steps against fighting this
nuisance but it has always gone in vain and the situation is very dismal. So in
order to fight against it, we should avoid the stuff made by children to show
opposition against child labour. Various agencies, which are involved in crimes
like compelling and pressurizing these little kids, should be caught. These
children should be helped by allowing and giving them free education, books and
every possible necessity they need. Awareness should be spread about it so that
everyone start realizing the gravity and try to participate on their part.