National Child Labour Survey launched

ISLAMABAD, Mar 25 (APP):Ministry of Human Rights on Monday in collaboration with UNICEF launched National Child Labour Survey in Pakistan.

President Dr. Arif Alvi graced the occasion as chief guest. Besides, Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari, Parliamentary Secretary Human Rights Lal Chand, Secretary Human Rights Ms. Rabiya Javeri Agha, Secretary Ministry of statistics, Shaista Sohail, JoannaReid, Head of DFID, Aida Girma, UNICEF Country Representative, Ms Ingrid Christensen, ILO Country Director were among the Key speakers on the event, said a press release issued here.

The objectives of the event were to recognize and appreciate the efforts of federal as well as provincial governments towards prevention and elimination of economic exploitation and share the progress made on child labour survey across the country.

In addition, the purpose of the event was to launch the data collection process for child labour survey in Pakistan.

Human rights minister Dr. Shireen Mazari addressing the launching ceremony said the incumbent government was committed to improving children’s rights, and glorifying international convention on child labour.

“It is our priority to ensure the endowment of education and health to the children across the country. Beyond rhetoric we have to take pragmatic steps to eliminate child labour and improve their living standards,” she said.

The federal minister said the government was taking pragmatic steps in this regard and we were committed to ensuring the provision of basic health and education facility to children with a concrete focus to prevent all kinds of child abuse.

Dr. Shireen Mazari said purpose of this child labour survey was to collect the scientific data of the child labour in the country to get an empirical data which would help not only to address the real issues but also to devise a comprehensive policy.

Ministry of Human Rights was determined to devise result oriented policies on the basis of this data, she said.
She further said child labour was unaccepted in any democratic and progressive society and without the provision of the basis fundamental rights of the children success becomes a night mare.

In order to succeed, we need to ensure the fundamental rights of children with a special focus on their education and health.

She further said this child labour survey was the beginning, which will be helpful to eradicate the child abuse and economic exploitation.

The minister also showed her concern over domestic worker issues and said we observe different inhuman incidents related to domestic workers. Ministry of Human Rights was bringing law to protect the rights of domestic workers, she said.

Dr Shireen Mazari shared that besides the implementation of existing laws and devising new legislations, it was equally important to create the awareness among masses regarding their rights.

The ministry was already running campaigns related to women’s right to inheritance and child abuse awareness and has launched a free helpline 1099 to provide all kinds of legal assistance to the victims.

She further said the ministry of human rights was working on child protection bureau, and Child Protection Commission which will soon be established to protect children’ rights.

The representatives of the Federal and Provincial governments including Gilgit Baltistan and AJK, UNICEF, DFID, representatives of international organizations and member of civil society also attended the event.

The themes of the survey was “Moving from Data to Policy-Global Practices” and “Child Labour Survey Data Usage for Policy Development and Implementation”.