A senior official from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to combat child labour in Pakistan. Syed Saghir Bukhari, Senior Programme Officer at the ILO Pakistan Office, highlighted the importance of awareness campaigns, strict enforcement of laws, and collective action to support child protection and education initiatives.
Speaking to a private news channel, Bukhari stressed the need for stronger measures in education, decent employment, social protection, accurate data collection, and responsible business practices to address the root causes of child labour. He pointed out that undocumented and out-of-school children remain a significant challenge, despite ongoing data collection efforts by the ILO. Gaps in identification and registration continue to hinder effective interventions, he added.
Bukhari called for enhanced social protection for impoverished families and urged employers to adopt responsible practices to help eliminate the underlying causes of child labour. Responding to a query, he emphasized that clear age limits must be enforced. Children below the minimum working age should not be allowed to work, and legal provisions should strictly regulate employment only within the defined age bracket of 13 to 15 years.
He stressed the importance of shifting societal attitudes, strengthening awareness, and building a stronger sense of responsibility to protect children. Bukhari concluded that only through joint action and sustained commitment can child protection and education goals be fully achieved.
