National Child Labour Survey launched

Ministry of Human Rights in collaboration with UNICEF has launched National Child Labour Survey.

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Ministry of Human Rights in collaboration with UNICEF has launched National Child Labour Survey in Pakistan today. The President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi graced the occasion as chief guest.

Besides, Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari, Parliamentary Secretary Human Rights Lal Chand, Secretary Human Rights Ms Rabiya Javeri Agha, Secretary Ministry of statistics, Shaista Sohail, JoannaReid, Head of DFID, Aida Girma, UNICEF Country Representative, Ms Ingrid Christensen, ILO Country Director were among the key speakers.

The objectives of the event were to recognize and appreciate the efforts of Federal as well as Provincial governments towards prevention and elimination of economic exploitation and to share the progress made on the child labour survey across the country. In addition, purpose of the event was to launch the data collection process for child labour survey in Pakistan.

Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari addressing the launching ceremony has said that incumbent Government was committed to improving children’s rights, and glorifying international convention on child labour. It is our priority to ensure the endowment of education and health to the children across the country.

Beyond rhetoric we have to take the pragmatic steps to eliminate the child labour and to improve their living standards, our Constitution grantees to provide the fundamental rights to the children.

Federal Minister said that we are taking pragmatic steps in this regard and we are committed to ensure the provision of basic health and education facility to the children with a concrete focus to prevent all kinds of child abuse.

Dr Shireen Mazari said that purpose of this child labour survey is to collect the scientific data of the child labour in the country to get an empirical data which will help not only to address the real issues but also to devise a comprehensive policy. Ministry of Human Rights is determined to devise result oriented policies on the basis of this data.

She further said that child labour is unaccepted in any democratic and progressive society and without the provision of the basis fundamental rights of the children success becomes a night mare. In order to succeed, we need to ensure the fundamental rights of children with a special focus on their education and health.

She further said that this child labour survey is the beginning, which will be helpful to eradicate the child abuse and economic exploitation. Federal Minister also showed her concern over domestic worker issues and said that we observe different inhuman incidents related to domestic workers.

Ministry of Human Rights is bringing law to protect the rights of domestic workers. Dr Shireen Mazari shared that besides the implementation of existing laws and devising new legislations, it is equally important to create the awareness among masses regarding their rights.

Ministry of human rights is already running campaigns related to women’s right to inheritance and child abuse awareness and has launched a free helpline 1099 to provide all kinds of legal assistance to the victims.

She further said that Ministry of Human Rights is working on child protection bureau, and Child Protection Commission which will soon be established to protect children’ rights.

The representatives of the Federal and Provincial governments including Gilgit Baltistan and AJK, UNICEF, DFID, representatives of international organizations and member of civil society also attended the event.

The themes of the survey was “Moving from Data to Policy-Global Practices” and “Child Labour Survey Data Usage for Policy Development and Implementation”.