Child labour has been acknowledged as a serious and challenging issue in the civilised societies around the globe. Its continued existence remains a source of concern for all segments of human society.
In spite of the threats of trade barriers, in spite of the call of moral understanding of the issue and active participation of government employers, workers and NGOs, the prevalence of child labour in the developing nations is one proof that practical dependence on working children still has an alarming sound around the world.
There are children who cannot go to schools due to financial problems, they only watch others go to schools and can merely wish to seek knowledge. It is due to many hindrances and difficulties; desperate conditions that they face in life. Having been forced to kill their aspirations, dreams and other wishes, they are pressed to earn a living for themselves and for their families. It is also a fact that there are many children who play a key role in sustaining the life of their family without which. These are also part of our society who have forgotten the pleasures of their childhood.
It is an outcome of a multitude of socio-economic factors and has its roots in poverty, lack of opportunities, high rate of population growth, unemployment, uneven distribution of wealth and resources, outdated social customs and norms and plethora of other factors.
Consider the point that if 30% of our countrys total population is leading life below the poverty-line wherein the people are deprived of basic necessities of life like clothing, shelter, food, education and medication, the children of these people will be forced to become labourers or workers in order to survive.
Another reason of this problem in Pakistan is that our people dont have the security of social life. There is no aid plan or allowance for children in our country. Class-based education system is another reason for increasing it; villages lack standardised education systems and as a result, it is on increase in rural areas. The government has not put its laws into practice to stop child labour in our country.
Child labour is a complex problem which demands a range of solutions. There is no better way to prevent it than to make education compulsory. The West understood this a long time ago. Laws were enacted very early to secure continued education for working children; and now they have gone a step forward, and required completion of at least the preliminary education of the child before he or she starts work.
HIRA SAJJAD
Lahore
