Pakistan is regularly near the top of the list of the countries where child labor is common. You need to take drastic measures to end the problem. On 14 July, Punjab government enacted an ordinance prohibiting employment of children and defined strict rules for the use of teenagers between 15 to 18 years. The implementation of the Restriction of the Use of Children Ordinance 2016 is a daunting task and so on Friday, the government of Punjab plans to provide subsidies for workers children to work in factories and workshops to be registered with them in schools announced. Child workers will be offered enrollment in school or skills training to the Punjab Vocational Training Council (VBAC), which has already trained 69,000 children from 14 to 18 years to develop.
In an effort to eliminate the children in brick kilns, the provincial government is Rs1000 per child available; While the three sectors identified – auto repair shops, fuel pumps, hotels and restaurants – the amount expected to double. Is a good step to give incentives for parents and employers to take children to school. Selected employers of young workers because they can pay them less for the same work and can be exploited more easily. Meanwhile, many children are forced to enter the labor market early because of poverty. Employers and minors, therefore, gaps because the choice is going to school who can not or medical facilities. For many children, this is not the choice of education and work, between sitting useless in poor schools or some work experience or cash. In addition, a successful market for labor and child trafficking in Pakistan and more likely than adults to become involved in your network.
Technical education is employment opportunities might be available, but much of the country’s industry, especially SMEs, under controlled conditions and for work comply with labor laws. Machines and information. Laws can not change much, at least some of the side of the children. The solution is quite simple, which can produce bright students so that the opportunity cost of time spent in class small compared to the economic results after the education establishment. However, this is something that does not make for good political mandates, or for shocking headlines in the media. This question is left on the edge, like children picking up trash on the streets, exposed to malnutrition, abuse and trafficking.
Waqas Mirza
Islamabad
