The Policy Brief on the Employment of Children in Pakistan analyzes child labour laws and highlights Pakistan’s commitment to international conventions like the UNCRC and ILO. It differentiates between child work and child labour, emphasizing the latter’s harmful effects. The brief calls for uniform child labour laws post-18th Amendment, addressing gaps and inconsistencies across provinces.
Key issues include differing age definitions, with Punjab defining a child as under 15, while KP, Sindh, and Balochistan use 14. Light work provisions and hazardous work definitions also vary, leading to inconsistent protections. Differences in committee structures, education requirements, and health and safety rule-making further exacerbate enforcement challenges.
The Employment of Children Act (ECA), 1991, and other laws reveal gaps in regulating hazardous occupations like coal mining and transport. Fragmented legislation, economic pressures, and cultural acceptance of child labour hinder progress. The brief underscores the need for standardized laws, robust enforcement, and awareness campaigns to protect children and eliminate exploitative practices.
Click here to check the full document: Policy Brief Employment of Children in Pakistan
