Punjab govt decides to give monthly stipends to curb child labour

LAHORE (Dunya News) - The Punjab government has announced a major step to tackle child labour by deciding to provide monthly stipends to parents of underage children, aiming to pull them out of work and put them back into classrooms.

According to official details, parents of children below 18 years of age will receive conditional cash support if they stop their children from working. Once financial assistance is provided, the children will be enrolled in education and skill development programmes so they can learn and grow instead of earning at an early age.

To make the plan work on the ground, the Punjab government will set up special task committees and prepare a comprehensive strategy to eliminate child labour. Recommendations have also been sought to amend the existing child labour laws to make them more effective and up to date.

The committees have been assigned more than 20 tasks, including digital mapping and geo-tagging of working children. A dedicated helpline and rehabilitation centres will also be established to support affected children and their families.

Under a socio-economic survey, eligible parents will receive a monthly stipend, which officials say will help families make ends meet without relying on child labour. The government believes this initiative could be a game changer in breaking the cycle of poverty and exploitation.