Daily Times

Sir: Child labour is a serious problem in many parts of the world, especially in developing countries. Labour is defined as physical or mental work. The work done by children under 15 years of age due to various reasons is known as child labour. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), there are approximately 250 million children around the world, from the age of five to 14, who are now working as labourers.

Pakistan, unfortunately, is amongst those countries where child labour is at its peak. Child labour is a crime and it should be condemned. Many NGOs are working for the rehabilitation of such children but still the mafias behind these activities are stronger than these NGOs. We can see that children who should have books in their hands have dirty plates, tools and shoes. According to a survey, approximately 45 percent of the children in the state have been exposed to child labour in one or other form. The main cause behind child labour in Pakistan is the ever increasing unemployment, which has dragged many families below the poverty line.

There is a need to stop child labour in our country. Awareness must be raised and the attention of parents ought to be diverted to the education of their children. Child labour laws should be put into practice. In addition, the educational system of the country must be reshaped and restructured according to national development goals. Orphans and other deserving children must be helped financially on a long term basis. The agreement that has recently been approved by Pakistan, Norway and the ILO to eradicate child labour must be given importance. We hope that our rulers will put this agreement into practice using all means at their disposal.

BARIRA MEHMOOD

Rawalpindi