Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration is in process of codifying four new labour laws to eliminate child labour from workshops, small road-side hotels and specific houses. These laws are being codified with assistance of International Labour Organization (ILO), Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development and Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan.
The laws include Employment and Services Condition Act, Occupational Safety & Health Act, Trade Union Registration & Industrial Relations Act and Workers Social Security, Welfare & Compensation Act. Official sources on Sunday said draft of two laws ie Employment & Services Conditions Act and Occupational Safety & Health Act have been approved in Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development and same are under consideration with Ministry of Interior for onwards submission to National Assembly for legislation.
The sources said a separate court has also been constituted in ICT administration for speedy trial of labour Challan while a Vigilance Committee is also working under supervision of Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad to protect child labour on brick kilns. Moreover, four (04) teams ie one Labour Officer and three Labour Inspectors of Labour Welfare Department, Islamabad have been constituted for inspection under various labour laws including child labour.
They regularly visit their respective areas and prompt action is taken against the violators. Replying to a question, the sources said existing law does not cover domestic worker. Therefore, ICT Administration cannot inspect children working in houses. However, four separate bills have been placed before the Parliament on Child Protection & Domestic Workers.