The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines child labour as work which is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children; and which interferes with their schooling by depriving them of the opportunity to attend school or obliging them to leave school prematurely.

The prevalence of child labour is higher in low-income countries, due to much higher poverty levels. According to the UNICEF 2017 report, in the world’s poorest countries, 25% of children (between the ages of 5-17) are engaged in labor, which is considered detrimental to their health and development.

Forms of Child Labor in Pakistan

Hazardous Work is one of the worst forms of child labor, in which children work in a dangerous environment that can cause harm to their wellbeing in many ways. For example, children working inside mines are at serious risk of injury from tunnel collapses or accidental explosions.

Domestic Work is where children (especially girls) are employed in private households for domestic work (CDL). Although domestic work is not included in the category of hazardous work, but the children engaged in this labour remain at high risk of multiple harm like physical, mental, emotional and child sexual abuse, rape, violence, torture, maltreatment, malnutrition, starvation, exhaustion, exposure to severe weather without appropriate shelter and clothing, all of which can result in serious health conditions, and in some cases even death.

Overview of Child Labour in Pakistan by Sector/Activities

Source: (Bureau of International Labor Affairs)

Child Labour – International Conventions, National and Provincial Laws

International Legal Framework in addition to UN CRC

Minimum Age Convention(C.138), 1973

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (C.182)

Domestic Workers Convention (C. 189), 2011

SAARC Convention on Prevention and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution (2002)

Pakistani Provincial Legislation

Punjab Restriction on Employment of Children Act, 2016

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Act, 2010

The Sindh Child Protection Authority Act, 2011

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 2015

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shops and Establishments Act, 2015

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Prohibition of Employment of Children Act, 2015

Punjab Prohibition of Child Labour at Brick Kilns Ordinance, 2016

Punjab Restriction on Employment of Children Act, 2016

Sindh Prohibition of Employment of Children Bill, 2017

Islamabad Capital Territory Child Protection Act, 2018

Domestic Workers Employment Rights Bill, 2018

Punjab Domestic Workers Act, 2018