Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that child labour is a social and economic issue which is result of different aspects. Elimination of child labour is a form of worship and mission of Punjab government, he added. He said that children are like flowers and their protection is responsibility of all of us. Forceful labour imposed on children is the vilest act and none of the societies allow this as children are the future and asset of any country.
In a message on International Child Labour Day, Shahbaz said that child labour is a criminal act in international laws and effective lawmaking has been done in Punjab which will uproot the menace of child labour from the province. Punjab government has abolished child labour at brick-kilns and with the huge funds of billions rupees it has freed 90 thousand children and enrolled them in schools by replacing mud with books from the innocent hands, children are provided with educational scholarships, free books, uniform, shoes, stationery and other educational facilities. He vowed that child labour will be eliminated from petrol pumps, workshops and hotels as well.
More concentration on the education and training of children will lead the nation to prosperity and progress, he added. It is the responsibility of every member of the society especially NGO's to concentrate on this issue. The Chief Minister said that he himself is monitoring the steps taken to end up child labour and will continue to struggle to nip this evil in the bud. He said that steps taken by Punjab government in this regard were appreciated at global level conference. He said that celebrating this day is aimed at expediting the struggle to end up child labour. Today, we have to inform the people about the effects of child labour at the future of children and to express the determination that all needful steps would be taken to abolish child labour.