Government and civil society should take strategic steps to end economic exploitation of children, experts

Lahore: On the occasion of World Day for the Elimination of Forced Child Labour, experts have said that all stakeholders, including the government and civil society, should take strategic steps to end the economic exploitation of children.

Speaking at a seminar held at Al-Hamrahal, Lahore, Additional Secretary Labor and Human Resource Department Tauseef Dilshad Khatana said that ending child labor is the priority of the Punjab government and recently the government has taken measures to remove children from labor in Muzaffargarh and provide them with regular education. I have started a pilot project for mainstreaming.

He reiterated the strong collaboration between government departments and civil society organizations to end the scourge of child labor in line with target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Speaking at the seminar, Iftikhar Mubarak, the head of NGOs called ‘Search for Justice’, said that the harmful effects of child labor are far-reaching and demand a comprehensive response.

Search for Justice calls on all stakeholders, including government, civil society, communities and individuals, to take strategic steps to end child economic exploitation, such as the implementation of strong laws and regulations to protect children from labour. and including advocating their enforcement and ensuring appropriate penalties for those who violate them and measures to monitor compliance.
Children’s rights activist Rashida Qureshi said that in Punjab, it is disappointing to see that children are engaged in dangerous and exploitative work instead of enjoying their right to education and upbringing environment.

Child domestic labour, in particular, puts children at greater risk, making them vulnerable to various threats, exploitation and abuse within the home.

Clinical psychologist Fatima Taher highlighted the need to develop comprehensive support systems for child laborers and their families, including access to health care, psychosocial support, and rehabilitation services.

He said to provide vocational training and alternative income opportunities for parents to reduce dependence on child labour. They also called for implementation of effective mechanisms for monitoring, reporting and data collection on child labour.
Daud Abdullah, Director of Labor Department, Punjab, highlighted the important points of the survey conducted on child labour. He said that the highest child labor in Punjab is in the agriculture and fisheries sector, the number of domestic children is very less.

He also highlighted the steps being taken by the Punjab government to remedy child labor and said that the increase in population is the main cause of child labour.
On this occasion, Senior Journalist Asif Mahmood also explained the causes of child labor and the role of the media. He said that to reduce the rate of child labor, the Labor Department, School Department, Health, Social Welfare, Child Protection Bureau and NGOs have to come on the same page and improve the communication system. He said that one of the main reasons for child labor is the economic conditions of the people.
Child rights activist Saba Shaikh called for effective cooperation between the government, private sector and civil society organizations to combat child labour.

He also called for involving communities, religious leaders to support efforts against child labour. Encourage community-led initiatives that promote education, awareness and provide safe spaces for children to grow and thrive, he said.
Apart from this, the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau organized an awareness walk against child labor in Liberty Chowk Lahore, in which people from different walks of life, including children, participated.

Speaking on this occasion, Child Protection Bureau Chairperson Sarah Ahmed said that in the last four years, measures have been taken to provide education to 19 thousand children by taking them out of child labour. There are still more than twelve hundred children living with the Child Protection Bureau, which we process wherever we receive information.

He said that by rescuing children, they are given protection, education, shelter and food. According to the report of Child Protection Bureau, 3100 cases of child labor were reported across Punjab last year, while 5400 cases of begging from children were reported in one year. According to the organization working on children’s rights, it is necessary to create laws to eliminate child labor.