Child Labour

YASIR ALI SOOMRO VIP

What is child labor?
Child labourrefers to the employment ofchildrenin any
work that depriveschildrenof their childhood, interferes
with their ability to attend regular school, and that is
mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and
harmful.
Which laws, in Pakistan, prohibit the
employment of children?
Before we talk about labour laws, lets first have a look at
the constitutional provisions pertaining to child labour.

Article 3: the state shall ensure the elimination of all forms

of exploitation and the gradual fulfillment of fundamental
principle, from each according to his ability and to each
according to his work.
Article 11(3): No child below the age of 14 years shall be
engaged in any factory or mine or any other hazardous
employment.
Article 25(A): The state shall provide free and compulsory
education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years in
such manner as determined by law.
Which laws, in Pakistan, prohibit the
employment of children?
Article 37(e): The state shall make provision for securing
just and humane conditions of work, ensuring that women
and children are not employed in vacations unsuited to their
age or sex, and for maternity benefits for women in
employment.

Following instruments of legislation deal exclusively with the

subject of child labour.

The Employment of Children Act 1991

The Employment of Children Rules 1995
 Other than these two, there are other laws as well which
deal with the employment of children and regulate the
working conditions for employed child workers.

Mines Act, 1923

The Children (Pledging of Labour) Act, 1933
The Factories Act, 1934
The Road Transport Workers Ordinance, 1961
Shops and Establishments Ordinance, 1969
Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2001