The government has established a fund of Rs 100 million for education of working children and rehabilitation of freed bonded labour.
The government aims to initiate ILO's Special Programme of Action to combat forced/bonded labour that seeks to (i) undertake a series of purposive studies; (ii) review laws on bonded labour to make consistent with international human rights treaties; (iii) provide training to District Nazims and members of the Vigilance Committees on human rights and bonded labour concerns; and (iv) developing a partnership with the stakeholders, employers, and workers to secure a more harmonious relationship.
According to an official source, the government is also collaborating with the ILO, through a Social Finance Program on "Prevention of Family Indebtedness with Microfinance and Related Services" that aims to prevent freed haris (farmers) and other vulnerable families from falling back into bondage by reducing their economic and social vulnerability principally through enabling provision of microfinance services.
Furthermore, the Federal Bureau of Statistics will launch a follow-up of 1996 survey on child labour to assess the impact of measures taken by the government so far.
According to an official source, the Child labour in Pakistan is a socio-economic phenomenon that exists because poor families are pushed by the economic necessities to force children to enter the labour market.
A nation-wide survey by ILO in 1996 estimated that there are about 3.3 million or 8.3 percent of children economically active in the labour market.
Although the government is committed to eliminate child labour as reflected in the National Policy and Plan of Action to Combat Child Labour, it is pursuing a policy of gradual elimination of all forms of child labour and immediate elimination of the hazardous and exploitative forms of child labour under ILO's International Program for Elimination of Child Labor.
To achieve this objective, certain specified target programs have been initiated.
One hundred and seventy five auto workshops have been selected by setting up workshops to impart training to needy students and working children for two years.
On completion of these courses, they are provided toolboxes, which enable them to earn a livelihood through self-employment.
In addition, Pakistan Baitul Mal has set up 68 centers for poor children to rehabilitate children working in hazardous occupation by imparting non-formal education.
Children are given monthly stipend of Rs 150 in addition to uniforms, shoes, other clothing and meals during school hours.
On the other hand, parents are paid Rs 250 for each child they send to these schools.
In collaboration with ILO, the European Union is also helping the government for setting up 18 Community Education and Action Centers for combating abusive child labour through prevention, withdrawal and rehabilitation of ex bonded child labourer.
The Child Care Foundation has opened 324 non-formal education centers for imparting education to carpet weaving children from where the children are mainstreamed into the formal education.
According to official sources, the government has implemented a comprehensive legal framework to eliminate bonded labour from Pakistan.
Pakistan has ratified ILO Conventions Nos. 29 and 105 prohibiting bonded labour and the UN 1956 Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery.
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