**Assignment**

Submitted by:
Saqib Hayat & Fahad Khalid
Topic :
“Child Labor”
Submitted to:
Mam Azrah

**Q.A.U**
 Title:

There is No reason,
There is No excuse,
Child labor is
Child abuse

Abstract:
Child labor is basically a curse that can be seen all over the world. It
involves different categories. There are some specific reasons which led to the
child labor. And there many negative effects of child labor that effect the child’s
physical and mental growth. And also harms their lives as well. Many
organizations(UNICEF, ILO etc) are working all over the world to solve this
problem and eliminate the curse of child labor. Many laws are also been made by
different countries for child labor. But these steps do not seem to be able of
eliminating this problem. Our society needs some drastic steps to overcome this
problem.

Introduction:
Any practice which involves children in any economic activity is said
to be child labor. It may be of part or full time basis. This practice is actually
effects the physical and mental development of the child. Basically it ruins the
childhood of the children. And children have to work in worst conditions rather
than enjoying their childhood. We can see it all over the world.
Context:
>Categories of child labor

>Reasons behind child labor

>Effects of child labor

>Child labor in Pakistan

>Child labor around the world

>Organizations working against child labor

>UNICEF

>ILO

>Steps needed to stop child labor

>Conclusion

Categories of child labor:

There are many categories of child labor. Child
labor is found in many different places and sectors. All over the world we can see
the child labor.

>Some child work as metal worker.

>Some child work as servant.

>Some work as household helpers.

>Majority of them work in agriculture sector.

>Few of them are forced for begging profession.

>They also work in hotels as waiters.

>Child labor can also be seen in mining.

>Industries also include child labor. Many children work in carpet industry, glass
bangle industry and deep fishing industry.

Reasons behind Child Labor:

There are many reasons behind child labor:

(1)The basic reason behind the child labor is poverty. Due to poverty many
children are forced to work and earn something for their family. As poverty
causes many of the families to live from hand to mouth, so the young ones are
directed to work at small ages. And they do not have any other option. Child labor
is the only way for such families to have an hope of their survival.

(2) The second reason behind the child labor is unemployment of elders. It is
clear that when the elders are unemployed and earn nothing, then someone has
to take a step and work for his/her family. So the children are sometimes forced
to work as a labor so that the family can pass the hard times. And in this way
children become a source of income for such unemployed elders.

(3) Another reason behind the child labor is parental illiteracy. In many countries
there is a problem of illiteracy. As the parents are illiterate, they do not want their
children to study and get education. Rather they want their kids to work.

(4) Children are very cheap source of labor. It is another reason behind the child
labor.

Effects of child labor:

There are many effects of child labor as well. These
effects are as follows:
 >The first effect of child labor is that the child who is working as a labor has no
chance of improvement .

>Most of the students who work as a labor, stop their education after high
school. As they are working and studying at the same time, so it is difficult for
them to manage both things at same time. They also have no concentration on
their studies. So mostly, the children who work leave their studies.

>Another problem that children face is little parent monitoring. It is a big effect
on the children who work as labor. As they spend more time without their
parents and their parents are not monitoring them when they are on work. So
most of the children get addicted to drugs. They ruin their lives and rather helping
their families they spend whatever they earn on drugs.

>The children also face inferiority complex.

>No protection is given to them. They face every problem on their own behalf. In
some cases children fall prey to rape and other things like this. Sexual harassment
is a big negative effect of child labor. According to DAWN news, recently in lower
Punjab, Pakistan, a nine years old girl who was working as a labor was raped by
four boys. It shows that no protection is given to the child labors and they are left
alone to face all the problems and situations like sexual harassment. There are
many cases like this in which children are sexually harassed and are raped.

>Child trafficking is also a big problem. Many child labors are kidnapped and
smuggled abroad. Their body organs are sold and some are forced to work as
prostitutes. Recently, in Punjab Pakistan, a gang used to kidnap children and then
their organs were transplanted and were sold as well. Mostly the children who fell
prey into this activity were the child labors because child labors are not provided
with any protection.

Child labor in Pakistan:

 Child labor in Pakistan has been increased beyond the
limit. Karachi is at number three rank for its highest ratio of child labor. And in
Pakistan approximately 12.5 million children are involved in labor. According to a
report of ILO in Pakistan 8.52 million children work as servants or household
helpers. And child labors who are more than age of 10 years are only 6 million. It
was estimated in 2012, that 96 percent of the child in urban areas were working
in industries like retail and wholesale industry. And it was also estimated that 48
percent girls were working in the service industry and remaining were working in
manufacturing. Government of` Pakistan is also working and trying to eliminate
child labor. And for this purpose some laws and acts are made against child labor.

>Child Labor Laws in Pakistan:

The government of Pakistan is also working to

eliminate child labor. There are approximately 26 acts and laws related to child
labor. Some of the essential laws and acts are as follow:

(1)Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act, 2004

(2)Restrictions of Child Labor Act 1890

(3)The Factories Act, 1934

(4)Employment of Children act, 1991.

Child labor around the world:

 Now a days approximately more than 250
million children are working as labors. The age of these children lies between 6
years and 14 years. And more than 80 million children are working in worst
conditions(factories and industries etc). Most of them have to carry the weight of
bricks and have to work in tunnels. Child labor is considered illegal in all countries.
But even in America, more than 1,50,000 children work illegally on U.S farms.

Organization working against child labor:

There are many organizations
working against child labor.

*UNICEF

*SCREAM

*CHILD LABOUR PROGRAMME OF ACTION

*CHILDREN’S CARE INTERNATIONAL

*INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME ON THE ELIMINATION OF CHILD LABOR

*INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION

UNICEF:
It works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every
child. UNICEF has spent 70 years to improve the lives of children and their
families. Defending children’s right throughout their lives requires a global
presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. According to
the report of UNICEF unless the world tackles inequity today, then in 2030 over
160 million children will live in extreme poverty and 69 million children underage
will die between 2016 and 2030. And in that era 60 million children of primary
school age will be out of school.

In Bangladesh, UNICEF took steps to eliminate child labor. UNICEF made an

agreement with Bangladesh garment manufacturers and exporters association to
eliminate the child labor problem. According to the agreement by 1998, 10500
children was freed from labor and were sent to school. And majority of the
students were enrolled in community based schools that were organized by two
NGOs.

In Brazil, UNICEF also showed some sort of effort by bringing the child labors back
to school and provided them some sort of facilities to overcome the problem of
child labor

Like that UNICEF is also worked in different countries and states. Till now UNICEF
is taking steps to eliminate child labor.

ILO:
International labor organization is working since 1919. It works for the rights
of labors and especially the rights of child labor. It brings together workers
representatives of different states, employees and government. The Programme
Elimination of child labor was started by ILO in 1992. ILO is working in 88
countries.

Steps Needed To Eliminate Child Labor:

There are many steps and ideas that
can help in stopping child labor.

>First of all the basic reason behind child labor is poverty. So first of all this
problem should be solved. The authorities should regulate the money of zakaat
properly. Secondly we need some sort of income support funds for poor families.
>Illiteracy is also supporting child labor. All that we need is to educate the people.
Because illiterate parents do not force their children to focus on their studies,
rather they encourage them to work and earn in early ages. So increasing literacy
rate can help in decreasing child labor.

>Unemployment is a reason behind child labor. As when elders are unemployed,

then automatically children are asked to work for their family and earn something
to eat. Controlling unemployment can directly effect the child labor ratio.

Conclusion:
Child labor is basically a curse. It is actually child abuse. No doubt, organizations
are working to stop child labor but there is a need to take some drastic steps to
stop child labor.