Karachi: A joint press conference convened by Child Rights Movement (CRM) and various civil society organisations shed light on disconcerting prevalence of child domestic labour in form of use of children as domestic slaves in many household settings in country.

Mehwish Kayani National Coordinator-CRM revealed that one in four households employ child domestic labourers, predominantly girls aged 10 to 14 years, as reported by International Labou Organisation. Situation remains starkly at odds with international agreements. Pakistan is a signatory to Article 182 of ILO, which unequivocally prohibits all forms of child labour.

She shared that CRM Pakistan monitoring pattern of child rights violations, have noticed one of worst forms of child labor unfortunately which are not new.

Syed Ishtiaqul Hassan Gilani CEO-UGOOD said since 2010 these incidents continue to be appearing in news regularly and compel us to think even more seriously about this serious child protection issue. CRM expresses strong concern over lack of accountability in this regard.

He said this practice is more pronounced among elite strata of society, where girls as young as six years old and even boys form part of an undocumented and hidden labor force.

Asiya Arif ED-SPARC said CRM fervently demands accountability for all those involved in CDL cases, immediate notification of Protection of Domestic Workers Rules and rigorous enforcement of ban on CDL in accordance with Employment of Children Act 1991 and ICT Protection of Domestic Workers Act 202.  

Zia ur Rehman CEO of Awaz CDS-Pakistan and National Coordinator PDA said, Pakistan continues to grapple with definition of childhood, leading to policy disparities and loopholes that obstruct effective implementation. Inconsistencies across laws and policies create confusion among enforcement bodies and offer leeway to wrongdoers.

Nazneen Tabasum Programme Officer and Gender and Child Protection Focal Person from Muslim Aid Pakistan said that government should align 18 age in children-related all country laws and Article 25-A should also align with Child Rights Convention UNCRC. She said that main cause of child labour and domestic labor is poverty and government should take initiative to increase social protection schemes for child labour and domestic labour children.

Senator Sehar Kamran said to avoid such cases and make progress on protection of children in Pakistan, first step government should take is to align domestic law with international commitments.

Ayesha Khan CD- Hashoo Foundation shared not only are present laws inadequate, they also suffer from a lack of implementation. Firstly, there is need for stronger legislation, which clearly lays out rules, procedures, offences and punishments to discourage practice of child labour.

Frzana Bari social activist said an extensive awareness campaign by civil society groups would help reduce number of incidents by alerting communities about consequences of employing innocent children and risking their lives. It is not just government's duty to ensure safety of children. It is, in fact, duty of each and every employer, parent and citizen to make sure that children of this country can enjoy their rights with no exceptions.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 26 2023

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