The first Child Labour Survey in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, conducted in 2022-23, reveals that the province has hundreds of thousands of child laborers, comprising 11.1% of the child population.
The survey unveiled in a special ceremony, indicates a total of 922,314 working children, with 745,165 engaged in child labor.
The event was attended by representatives from various sectors, and Adviser to the Chief Minister on Labour, Riaz Anwar Khan, was the chief guest.
The report highlights that child labor is not only economically active work for children but also interferes with their education.
A significant portion of child laborers, 73.8%, work in hazardous conditions, including hazardous tools, industries, hours, night shifts, and facing abuse.
The major industries for child labor include agriculture, water collection, trade, and manufacturing.
The survey identifies various causes of child labor, such as lack of education in the head of the household, poverty, assistance from BISP, migration of the household head, and loss of at least one parent.
Stakeholders are urged to take the survey findings seriously for policy reforms and programs to eradicate child labor.
The labor secretary emphasizes that the survey marks the beginning of a long-term initiative by the government.
The British High Commission notes that child labor is a global issue but particularly significant for Pakistan, with around 35% of child abuse cases reported in the workplace.
The drivers of child labor are complex, including poverty and social behaviors, requiring a multi-sectoral and collective response.
The emphasis is placed on supporting parents and families to access better opportunities for their children.
UNICEF urges civil society and academia to use the survey findings for positive social change and calls for pragmatic steps to improve conditions for these children and promise them a better future.
