BAHAWALPUR :- THE SCOURGE OF CHILD LABOUR IN BAHAWALPUR DIVISION IS CHRONIC & TO THE EXTENT OF EXTREME DANGEROUS LEVEL.

 

BAHAWALPUR :- THE SCOURGE OF CHILD LABOUR IN BAHAWALPUR DIVISION IS CHRONIC & TO THE EXTENT OF EXTREME DANGEROUS LEVEL.

OFFICIALS OF LABOUR DEPARTMENT & CHILD PROTECTION BUREAU REMAINED SILENT SPECTATORS.  

FOR THE ERADICATION OF THIS SCOURGE  WE SHOULD TAKE EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO PROTECT THE FUTURE OF OUR NEW GENERATION ON GROSS ROOT LEVEL I.E STREET LEVEL OR MOHALLAH WISE / HOUSE WISE.

Child labor in Pakistan, is employment of children for work to meet the daily expenses of their family, because in my opinion poverty is the greatest single cause behind "child labour" as an average Pakistani has to feed nine to ten people with their daily wages,  which causes mental, physical, moral and social harm to children, or by blocking their access to education.  BUT,  both the Constitution and Labour laws prohibit the employment of children before the age of 14 years.  

Children, the most beautiful and purest creation of Almighty Allah, when go out for work in their childhood, it definitely leads towards the calamity of the nation. Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was very kind to children and he always loved them very much and also advised his followers to treat children with love and affection. 

But unfortunately, in our Islamic Republic of Pakistan,  children are the most deprived and ill-treated members of society. They are being forced to work at their age of playing and dreaming. Curse of child labour stems from numerous factors like poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, higher population growth, unavailability of health facilities, outdated norms, traditions and uneven distribution of resources and wealth,  that's why numerous children are being deprived of their childhood.   The biggest employers of children in our country are Agriturists/landlord, owners of Bricks Kiln, Small Industries, Carpet Weaving, car and motorcycle mechanic workshops hotels and restaurants, domestic services and urban informal sectors. A sizeable number of children are self employed doing manual jobs like vending, scavenging, street hawkers etc.etc. 

Dear readers, now lets come to discuss the worst situation of our District Bahawalpur which is counted as one of the most backward and undeveloped area of south region of Punjab where a great majority of the population is convicted of ignorance and illiteracy, lack of information and awareness about life and their skills.  The 75%  people are attached with agriculture and others petty socioeconomic sectors to earn their bread and butter. They are mostly poverty stricken communities and under control of landlords as well as ruling class. Resultantly they have submissive attitude, behaviour or practice and send their younger generation into  various forms of "child labour". 

Because of above noted situations,  the prevalence of child labour is highest infact extremely serious and alarming in Bahawalpur City.  For example at the workshops of cars and Motorcycles on Milad Chowk, Multan Road and outside of High Court, B.V. Hospital, Liabrary Chowk, Noor Mehal Road and Saraiki Chowk, hotels and restaurants are the dens of child labour.

The toddlers of our nation are begging on the streets or they are compel to labour at various locations of the city on low compensation instead of bags with full of their text books.  Although in the past there were many high flown claimants / postulaters or elected leaders tried for the elimination of child labour from Pakistan but their claims proved as just words of their empty speeches or their party conventions.  

But it is applauded that  the Chief Minister,  Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif have recently been taken bold steps for the eradication of child labour at least the extent of Punjab Province.  In this regard he has made legislation, but no one obey the law or orders for the protection of these type of children. Child Protection / Welfare Homes also made but as long as it does not realize by the public or parents that education for their children or siblings is necessary as "food" by then it will be all in vain.

In this context I would like to invite the attention of Deputy Commissioner Bahawalpur Rana Muhammad Saleem Afzal Khan towards this burning issue of CHILD LABOUR.  Hon'able Sir, kindly pay your special attention to this issue through strict orders about child labour laws by establishing the Rule of law as the child labour is a black spot on the face of civil society.  Let us feel our social and moral duty while jointly trying to erase it.

Overcoming the menace of child labour is not a difficult task. The only thing required is political will and commitment by every citizen of Pakistan on government as well as individual basis. There is the need to raise awareness among parents regarding adverse effects of child labour and convincing them to take care of others’ children like their own kids.  Enhancing punishment for those who responsibles of child labour, improving rehabilitation measures and providing other viable alternatives for children and their families can help to eradicate this curse. 

At the end if this column, my humble opinion for  the elimination of this scourge of CHILD LABOUR  from our country, first of all we should unite as a Pakistani Nation and then everyone should take this task as a  "JIHAD".