ABSTRACT

Child means a person who has not completed his fourteen years of age.

Child Labour is the employment of children under the age of 15 years with

the aim of earning. Today around 250 million children are involved in labor

activities through out the world at the cost of their physical, mental and

social development.

One can easily witness innocent kids working as factory workers, loader,

venders, bagger, corallines, brick makers and domestic worker the working

environment of these children is extremely poor. To add insult to injury,

these children are never rewarded according to their hard work.

Many factors can be established behind this manner, research reveals that

poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, lack of family planning clues based

education system, absence of social security mechanism and many others.

Children are the future of a nation. If taken cure of, they can bring a nation

of tights of development. But if neglected, they can play have with the

dusting of nation. Children need attention, affection, nutrition, security,

medical care and proper education for their physical mental spiritual, moral

and social development.

The aim of this study is to define the phenomena of child labour, its

historical background, it causes, current situational analysis of child labour

through out the country in general and Peshawar in particular and our

suggestions now to eradicate this me

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Objectives

3. Tables with explanation

4. Major Finding

5. Conclusion

6. Suggestions

7. References

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CHILD LABOUR

Introduction

There is no universally accepted definition for child labour, different

organization non governmental organization, trade union and others interest

group give different definitions child labor is not a new phenomenon but it

has become a global issue today. It is one of the main social problems of

developing countries, as well as the developed countries of the world. They

are facing the crises of child labour and that is why they have take serious

actions to eradicate this social evil from society because it deprives the

children from this basic rights of education, health, environment, rest and

recreation, child labour is a problem that has been occupying the world for a

long time since before written history. The constitution of Pakistan as well

as number of our laws restrict and prohibit the employment of children

child labour is not necessarily a bad thing. If it allows the child to get

adequate time in educating him/her and when that the child works under are

not harmful to his/her health. That’s why the constitution deems it a

principle to provide the basic necessities of life for complete physical and

mental development. CRC (convention on the Right of Child) says that

every child has the right to be loved cured and educated, but unfortunately

this is not usually done, they are deprived from their rights. They are

involved in different kind of jobs to earn livelihood, very rarely we find

children working under safe conditions nor we see that they have adequate

educational time.

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Child labour generally speaking, work of children that harm them or

exploits them in some way i.e. physically mentally or by blocking access to

education.

There is a big difference b/w child labour and child work. It should

be differentiated. The later is an occasional form of work, requiring at most

a few hours in a day. This form of work is, acceptable and infact it helps

them to acquire traditional skills but the former condition is not acceptable

because it is a work situation where children are compelled to work on

regular basic to earn a living for themselves and their families and as a

result are disadvanted educationally and socially, where children work in

condition that are exploitative and damaging to their health and to their

physical and mental development. Child labour however implies something

different that young people are being exploited or deprived of their rights or

just childhood.

Hence child labour is the engagement of children in economic

activities paid or unpaid where they are deprived of adequate education,

good health and basic freedom and are exposed to physical, mental and

spiritual hazards.

1.3. OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of the study are:

1) To identify the socio-economic causes of the child labour.

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2) To assess working conditions of children working in different

activities.

3) To assess the economic contribution of child labour in their

families income.

4) To study the problems relating to working children.

5) To suggest policy recommendation as to how child labour can be

curtailed.

6) Poverty is one of the main causes of child labour and higher the

rate of poverty higher would be the practice of child labor i.e.

poverty and child labour participation are positively correlated.

7) Contribution made by child labour is negligible.

8) Illiteracy on part of parents results in child labour.

9) Working conditions of children are uncongenial.

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Tables with explanation

Table-1: Age & family type.

S. No. Age Group F Type of Family

1. 7 – 10 11(12%) 06(12%) 5(10%)

2. 11 – 14 26(52%) 12(24%) 10(20%) 1(2%)

3. 15 – 18 12(26%) 5(10%) 5(10%) 3(6%)

Total 50(100%) 22(52%) 20(40%) 4(8%)

Explanation

The table-1 reflects the percentage age group composition and its

proportionate allocation in different family types.

In the first instance the table shows that 11(22%) respondents were

of age group (7-10) years. Out of this 6(12%) were having nuclear type of

family while 5(10%) were having joint family system.

In the 2nd age group of (11-14) years, there were 26(52%). Out of this

12(24%) were of nuclear family system, 10(20%) were of joint family

system and 1(2%) was extended family system.

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In the 3rd age group of (15-18) years there were 12(26%)

respondents. Out of this 5(10%) were of nuclear family system, 5(10%)

were of joint family system and 3(6%) were of extended family.

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Table-2: Position of the Responded in the Sibling.

S. No. Position in the Sibling Frequency %age

1. Younger 06 11

2. Middle 20 41

3. Elder 24 48

Total 50 100

EXPLANATION

The table-2 described different position of respondents in the

siblings, in which 6(11%) respondents were younger in age wise position in

sibling. 20(41%) were of middle rank in age wise pattern in sibling

24(48%) were elders in age wise position in sibling.

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Table-3: Response about School.

S. No. Are want to go to school Frequency %age

1. Yes 45 90

2. No 5 10

Total 50 100

EXPLANATION

The above table shows that majority respondent 45(90%) wants to go

school. The table further shows that 5(10%) respondents did not want to got

to school.

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Table-4: Family and Earning Members.

S. No. Member of Family

FrequencyNo. of Earning Members in Family

(0-1) (2-3) (3-4) (4-5)

1. (1-4) 8(16%) 3(6%) 5(10%) - -

2. 5-8 18(34%) 4(5%) 12(24%) 2(5%) -

3. 9-12 18(38%) 2(4%) 11(24%) 5(10%) -

4. 13-16 6(12%) - 1(2%) 2(4%) 2(4%)

Total 50(100%) 7(14%) 31(62%) 10(20%) 2(4%)

EXPLANATION

The table-4 shows respondent No. of family members and earning

members and earning members in each group.

I this table 8(16%) respondents were of family members (1-4). Out

of this 3(6%) were of earning member range from (0-1) and 5(10%) were of

(2-3) earning members.

In 2nd group 18(34%) were of family members (5-8), out of this

4(5%) respondents were of earning member (0-1), 12(24%) were of earning

members (2-3), 2(5%) were of earning members (3-4).

In 3rd group, 18(38%) respondents were of family members (001),

11(24%) were of (2-3) earning members and 5(10%) were of (3-4) earning

members.

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Table-5: Respondent’s Father Education Status.

S. No. Father Education Status

Frequency

Level of Education

Primary Middle Matric Above

1. Literate 16(32%) 10(20%) 3(6%) 3(6%) -

2. Illiterate 34(68%) - - - -

Total 50(100%) 10(20%) 3(6%) 3(6%) -

EXPLANATION

The table depicts the percentage of respondent father education

status and their description regarding the level of education 34(68%)

respondents father were mentioned as illiterate.

Moreover 16, (32%) respondents father were literate. Out of this

10(20%) respondent father were literate up to primary level, 3(6%) were

literate upto middle and 3(6%) were up to matric.

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Table-6: Parents Alive OR not & who Supports the Family.

S. No. Parents Alive Frequency

If father died who supports the family

You Brother Mother

1. Both alive 38(16%) - - -

2. Father died 6(12%) 2(4%) 4(8%) -

3. Mother died 5(10%) - - -

4. Both died 1(2%) - 12%) -

Total 50(100%) 1(2%) 5(10%) -

EXPLANATION

The table-6 depicts the status of parents, either they are alive or died

and in case of father mishap who supports the family.

In the first group, 38(76%) of population advocates that both are

alive while in the 2nd group consist of three sub sections. In first section

6(12%) hold that their father is died and 2(40%) is self supported while

4(8%) are supported by brother. Under 3rd section 5(10%) hold that their

mother has died away. Under 4th section comes, which is little as “Both

died” having 1(2%) proportion and is supported by brother.

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Table-7: Working Status of Respondent’s Father.

S. No. Do Father Work Currently

Frequency

In No. because of

Drug addict

Disable Aged Died

1. Yes 30(60%) - - - -

2. No 20(40%) 5(8%) 3(6%) 9(20%) 3(6%)

Total 50(100%) 4(8%) 3(6%) 10(20%) 3(6%)

EXPLANATION

Different statistics are provided for the work of father or in case not

working.

Tin this table 30(60%) respondents said that their father do work

currently. 20(40%) are not at work. Out of this 5(8%) are drug addict,

3(6%) said their fathers are disable, 9(20%) said they are aged and the rest

3(60%) said that he is died.

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Table-8: Response about School.

S. No. Are want to go to School Frequency %age

1. Yes 45 90

2. No 5 10

Total 50 100

EXPLANATION

The above table shows that majority respondents 45(90%) wants to

go to school. 5(10%) did not to go to school.

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Table-9: Boss Attitude Towards Respondents.

S. No. Boss attitude Frequency %age

1. Cooperative 23 46

2. Non-Cooperative 02 4

3. N.A. 25 50

Total 50 100%

EXPLANATION

This shows boss attitude towards the respondents. 23(46%)

respondents said that their boss is cooperative. 2(4%) respondents were of

the opinion that their boss has a non-cooperative attitude. 25(50%)

employed respondents work under no. supervision and hence are

independent.

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Table-10: Respondent Attitude to Child Labour.

S. No. In are you favour of child labour Frequency %age

1. Yes 18 34%

2. No 32 66%

Total 50 100%

EXPLANATION

Above table shows respondent attitude to child labour. 18(34%) are

in favour of child labour. While 32(66%) respondents are against child

labour.

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Table-11: Health Facilities During Work.

S. No.Boss provide your health

faultyFrequency %age

1. Yes 7 14

2. No 18 36

3. C.N 25 50

Total 50 100

EXPLANATION

The above table shows that majority 18(36%) respondent were not

provided health facilities by boss. Table further shows that to 7(14%)

respondent provide health facilities and the remaining 25(50%) were

worked independently without supervision of boss.

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MAJOR FINDINGS

1. AGE AND FAMILY PATTERN

Majority of the children working in different work place are as under

eighteen. In very early age they are engaging in hazardous works which

deprive them from their basic and fundamental rights. The study shows that

12% were under the age of (7-10) year while 52% were under the age of

(11-14 years) 52% were having a nuclear type of family system where their

parents along with other shifting were 20% were having joint family

system.

2. FAMILY AND EARNING MEMBERS

Over population in above one of the majority of respondent having

number of family members but very low monthly income 32% have family

member (5-8) 40%, have family members (9-12) with very low monthly

income. 62% having earning member from (2-3).

3. Poverty

Due to poverty and lot of dependents the parents send their children

for works but due to very low status job or age problem. The involved their

children in labour. In the study it was found that 76% respondents parents

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were alive 10% respondents parents were died to which 10% were

supporting their family along with other siblings.

4. AGE WISE RANKING IN SIBLINGS

Families with low income economic conditions having number of

children. In the study it was trying to know that whether elder were

involved in children labour or young. It was found that 41% have middle

position in siblings 48% have elder in siblings.

5. LITERARY RATIO OF PARENTS

Illiteracy is above one of the major social problems of the country.

Due to poverty, the are unable to get education. This tradition is normally

coming from generation to generation. In the study it was found that 68%

respondents parents are illiterate while 32% are literate but they can only

read or understand the Urdu 20% were literate upto primary level 6% were

literate upto middle level 6% were literate upto matric level.

6. EDUCATION STATUS OF WORKING CHILDREN

Due to socio-economic conditions the children having a very low

opportunity to attend any school. 60% respondents have attended no school

because of different reasons like poverty, no interest or parents do not want.

42% said it because of poverty. 14% respondents said that parents do not

allow to go to school.

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7. SALARY POSITION OF RESPONDENTS

As majority of the children in workplace having a very low age.

They are earning for their family. They are supporting their elder earning

member 89% respondent said that they are giving salary to the parents for

running household activities.

8. WORKING STATUS OF PARENTS

In majority the father are involved in works along with their children

as it is mentioned earlier that they have a lot of depends having a very low

monthly income.

In study it was found that 60% respondents father were working

currently while 40% have not working either because of addiction disability

or agedness.

9. DESIRE OF CHILD ABOUT EDUCATION

Children at their early age are striving to get and know about new

things. It is because their mental capacity is measuring day by day. They are

curious about new things.

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In the study it was observed that 90% children want to attend the

school but due to child labour they were unable to attend it.

10. HEALTH FACILITIES DURING WORKING

In working place there is no healthy measure for working children

during works. They are fully vulnerable to all sort of mis-happening 36%

said that we have no health measure during works. 50% respondents

working independently but even they were unaware from the health

measure.

11. IMPACT OF LABOUR AND CHILD HEALTH

Where their no proper health facilities and no proper nutritious it

ultimately leads to worse health. In study it was found that 60% respondents

said unavailability of health measure and works negatively effects our

health.

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12. ATTITUDE OF SOCIETY TOWARDS RESPONDENTS

It is important to note here that what society think about those

children who are working in different walks of life.

In the study it was found that 52% attitude of society is view as

sympathetic toward child labour.

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CONCLUSION

Child labour is one of the serious issues of today. All over the world

there are 250 million children are involve in child labour. In Pakistan 3.2

million are working as a labour force, many factors are responsible for this

menace. Research reveals that poverty, illiteracy unemployment, lack of

family planning etc. are responsible for child labour. Education is life blood

of human being. But in Pakistan there are a lot of bundles in the stricken

families, so they cannot get education.

Islam is the state religion of Pakistan. The right of children is

guaranteed by Islam, which lays down some guarding principles for

upbringing, maintenance and character building of children so as to make

them useful and responsible members of the society. It prohibits

demonstration of child on the basis of sex or their faith.

So to conclude it, it is the responsibility of the government and also

of the society that initiative should taken to make education free and

compulsory for the children, we know also that poverty is the mother of all

social problems so poverty eradication is also necessary. Also job

opportunity should be provided to relax the burden on the parent shoulders.

Over population should be reduced through family planning programme the

media should play a vital role for the elimination of child labour.

So by taking these steps seriously we can overcome this problem up

to great extent.

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SUGGESTIONS

After meeting of working children personally while collecting the

data and studying he relevant literature, the following recommendations are

made which of acted upon, the menace could be minimized to a great

extent.

1. EDUCATION MUST BE COMPULSORY FOR ALL

An initiative should be taken to make education, compulsory for all

children irrespectively. This can be done once the free education is

produced and very where they are established. As this has always remained

the striking question, as how to admit any child to school, that costs much.

So if it is made free their financial problem will never come in the way of

educating the children.

2. LITERACY

Literacy ratio should be encouraged for creating awareness and

establishing and thus administrative literacy centers.

3. JOB OPPORTUNITY

Job opportunities should provided to relax the burden from the

shoulder, of the parents to easily send their children for education. As has

been found that due to financial burden the children were put to work in

early age. Therefore the govt. should create opportunities so as the problem

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may get pictured and the problem of child domestic worker may get

discourage.

4. OVER POPULATION

Pakistan is an over populated country. Its population is much more

that its natural resources. This factor has also contributed in the problematic

situation of child labour. Concrete efforts are required to popularize family

planning. Mass media should be fully and property utilized for this purpose.

5 POVERTY

Poverty is one of the basic reasons of child labour in Pakistan.

Poverty and child labour go hand in hand. Majority of the people are poor

in our society. High and intolerable fees of educational institutions and

limited access restrain the poor parents from sending their children to

schools. In fact, it is a major hand behind child labour in our society. It is

absolutely a must that for the elimination of child labour the process of

poverty eradication should be accelerated every possible attempt should be

made for poverty eradication because no scheme, policy or program of child

labour abolition will ever work unless and until poverty is eliminated from

the society and the condition of poor people is made better.

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6 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Unemployment is a major cause of child labour. It has been observed

that mostly unemployed parent, use their children as earnest for their

survival. Therefore unemployed opportunities should be provided to the

needy families so as to enable them to lead in honourable line. A well-

planed employment policy can prove helpful in this regard.

7. HEALTH FACILITIES

Health facilities should be provided to working children, because

their health is badly affected by hard, long and exploitative labour. The

government can compel the employees to provide health facilities so the

working children at their workplace.

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References

1. Alam A. (2000). Applied sociology. Peshawar. saif printing press.

p.34.

2. CRC, UN Children Fund.

3. Alam A (2000). Applied sociology. Peshawar. Saif printing press.

p.113.

4. Encyclopedia of America

5. Series of lectures (seminars) on child rights and child labor. By

Ms.khadija khan, National programmer coordinator,ILO-IPEC,

Pakistan

6. http://nccwd.gov.pk/publications.htm/date/10/11/2008

7. The state of Pakistan children 2006, published by SPARC,

Islamabad. 2007

8. http://IslamonLine_net - Ask The Scholar.htm/10/11/2008

9. http://meero.worldvision.org/news_article.php?

newsID=622&countryID=0

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE

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Age: _____________________.

1) Type of family?

(a) Nuclear (b) Joint (c) Extended

2) Total number of family members?

(a) (1-4) (b) (5-8) (c) (8-12) (d) (12-16)

3) Sibling No.

(a) Sisters (b) Brothers

4) Your position in the siblings.

(a) Younger (b) Middle (c) Elder

5) Total number of earning members in family.

(a) (0-1) (b) (2-3) (c) (3-4) (d) (4-5)

6) Head of the family?

(a) Father (b) Mother (c) Any other

7) Do you parents alive?

(a) Yes (b) No

8) If no specify.

(a) Mother died (b) Father died (c) Both died

9) If your father is not alive who supports the family.

(a) You (b) Brother (c) Mother (d) Any other

10)Have you attend any school?

(a) Yes (b) No

11) If yes specify.

(a) Primary (b) Middle (c) Matric (d) Any other

12) If yes? Because of.

(a) Gender (b) Earning position (c) Any other

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