ISLAMABAD
\nOn World Day Against Child Labour, Senator Sherry Rehman expressed grave concern over the continued prevalence of child labour that threatens the future of millions of children and undermines the country\u2019s development goals.
\n\u201cEvery child deserves a childhood, an education, and the opportunity to realize their full potential. Yet millions of Pakistani children continue to be trapped in cycles of poverty, exploitation, and hazardous work,\u201d Senator Rehman said.
\nShe noted \u201cAccording to ILO, approximately 8.6 million children in Pakistan are engaged in child labour. Of these, nearly 2.7 million children are involved in the worst and most hazardous forms of labour, including work in agriculture, brick kilns, domestic servitude, workshops, and other dangerous sectors.\u201d
\nSenator Rehman underscored \u201cChild labour remains deeply intertwined with poverty, inequality and lack of access to education.
\nMany families struggling to meet basic needs are compelled to send their children into the workforce instead of classrooms.\u201d Senator Rehman emphasised the gendered dimensions of child labour, noting that while boys are statistically more likely to be engaged in economic labour, girls often shoulder invisible and unrecognized burdens.
\nMany young girls spend more than 21 hours per week performing unpaid household work, limiting their educational opportunities and exposing them to multiple forms of vulnerability.
\n\u201cChild labour is not merely a labour issue; it is a human rights issue, a development issue, and a social justice issue. It perpetuates intergenerational poverty, deprives children of education, and weakens our collective future,\u201d she said. Senator Rehman noted that Pakistan possesses a robust constitutional and legal framework prohibiting child labour and protecting children\u2019s rights.
\nShe said \u201cArticle 11(3) of the Constitution of Pakistan strictly prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in factories, mines, and other hazardous occupations. Article 25-A guarantees free and compulsory education for all children between the ages of 5 and 16 years, while Article 37(e) obligates the state to ensure humane working conditions and prevent children from being employed in occupations unsuited to their age.\u201d
\nShe added \u201cAt the federal level, the Employment of Children Act, 1991 remains a cornerstone of Pakistan\u2019s legal framework, prohibiting the employment of children under the age of 14 in hazardous occupations and regulating the working conditions of adolescents under 18 years of age. Following the 18th Constitutional Amendment, provinces have also enacted specific child labour laws and protections, reinforcing commitments to children\u2019s rights and welfare.\u201d
\nHowever, Senator Rehman stressed that legislation alone is insufficient without effective implementation and enforcement. She called for a comprehensive national strategy that combines poverty alleviation, expanded social protection, universal access to quality education, stronger labour inspections, and targeted interventions for vulnerable communities.
\nSenator Rehman also underscored the growing impact of climate change on child vulnerability. Climate-induced disasters, displacement, food insecurity, and economic shocks are increasingly pushing children into labour, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. She reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 8.7, which calls for the eradication of child labour in all its forms.
\n\u201cEnding child labour is not an aspiration; it is an obligation. Every child removed from labour and placed in a classroom is an investment in Pakistan\u2019s future. We must act collectively\u2014government, civil society, the private sector, and international partners\u2014to ensure that no child is forced to trade their childhood for survival.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD On World Day Against Child Labour, Senator Sherry Rehman expressed grave concern over the continued prevalence of child labour that threatens the future of millions of children and undermines the country\u2019s development goals. \u201cEvery child deserves a childhood, an education, and the opportunity to realize their full potential. Yet millions of Pakistani children continue […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":478074,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-550943","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-national"],"yoast_head":"\n