Child Labour is, generally speaking, work for children that harm them or exploits them in some way (Physically, Mentally, or by blocking access to Education). It is the work that exceeds a minimum number of hours depending on the age of a child and on the type of work. Child labor comes in many forms. Many children work at swamp sites, cut rocks, work in low budget factories, car workshops or as a coolie in railway stations. Others work as prostitutes or domestic slaves.

 Child labour is a bitter truth of Pakistan and unfortunately it prevails in many forms in the country. Pakistan is in the top list of countries where child labour is common. On the other side, ILO and UNICEF say that all work done by children can’t be classified as child labor. So, it is very important to differentiate child labor and child work. If work is not harming the health, personal development and education of child then this type of work cannot be taken in a negative way and doesn’t include in child labor. For example, taking part in family business, part-time job or work in holidays. These activities can be termed as ‘Child Work’ and it is very important for the personal development of a child. It provides them extra skills of working that can be helpful in future.    

 Poverty is the greatest cause of child labor. A middle-class person earns $6 a day in Pakistan and he has to feed nine to ten people daily. The main cause of child labor is the low quality of education, lack of jobs and lack of progress in the region. The drop out rate in Pakistan is high than literacy rate. It is due to the lack of proper education. Education is too much expensive so that the poor children cannot afford these expenses. Their parents have to feed them within a low range of money. These are the main causes of child labor...

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