Pakistan Stands United to End Child Labour
On the World Day Against Child Labour, Pakistan stands in solidarity with the global community in the fight against child exploitation. Today serves as a stark reminder that we must continue our journey toward a future where every child grows up in a safe and nurturing environment.
Children subjected to child labour not only endure physical and psychological abuse but are also deprived of their fundamental right to education. They are robbed of their childhood.
This year’s theme, “Let’s Accelerate the Pace: Progress Has Been Made, But More Needs to Be Done,” highlights the need for stronger efforts. On this occasion, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are releasing the 2025 Global Estimates and Trends Report on child labour, which will provide insight into the effectiveness of measures taken so far.
Children in developing countries are the most affected by this menace. In regions plagued by prolonged conflict and instability, the number of children involved in labour has seen a significant increase. It is crucial for global organizations to pay special attention to such vulnerable areas.
Pakistan remains fully committed to the ILO Convention No. 138 (Minimum Age Convention) and Convention No. 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour). Article 11 of the Constitution of Pakistan explicitly prohibits all forms of child labour. Furthermore, several legislative measures have been enacted, including the Employment of Children Act 1991, Domestic Workers Act 2002, National Commission on the Rights of the Child Act 2017, ICT Child Protection Act 2018, and the Juvenile Justice System Act 2018. However, there is a need to strengthen the implementation mechanisms of these laws.
The government urges all provinces, stakeholders, and civil society to work hand in hand to ensure every child receives quality education.
Initiatives like the Danish School System aim to provide underprivileged children access to education in a safe environment. Nutrition programs have also been introduced in public schools to tackle malnutrition issues.
To eliminate child labour from society, the roles of federal and provincial governments, the private sector, academic institutions, media, and civil society are crucial.
On this day, I reaffirm my personal and my government’s unwavering commitment to ending child labour once and for all.
