Child Writes_Volume 6, Issue 2

Quarterly newsletter
Child Labour in Thar Desert - A source of
income or exploitation of children's rights?
Om Parkash Pragani
A girl weaving cloth on a floor loom at a local factory in Thar
Tharparkar: Om Prakash Pragani / Save the Children
Poverty and child labour are intrinsically interlinked, at least in
Pakistan, and the existence of both is a persistent and an oft
ignored issue in the country. Tharparkar, commonly known as Thar,
is one of the 29 districts in the province of Sindh, situated in south
eastern Pakistan. It is one of the driest and hottest places in the
country, making it particularly hard for locals to grow food
through farming and cultivation. The area is fraught with famine
and drought, and sources of income are very limited. Such
conditions have given a rise to child labour in Thar.
The poverty and vulnerability of the local community in Thar force
them to use every means available to generate money, and
children are forced into labour at a very young age to support
their families. Moreover, the deeply rooted caste-system and social
inequality often push landless tenants and their families into
bonded labour.
The socio-economic indicators of bonded and marginalised
families depict a dismal scenario. As part of my MPhil, I authored a
research study titled "Child labour and poverty in District
Tharparkar" for which I surveyed children engaged in labour in
Thar. The study revealed that 94% of surveyed households have
working children, out of which around 75% were boys while the
remaining were girls. Out of these working children, 42% of
children work more than four hours a
day while 70% of them did not go to
school. The children also complained
of the harsh and hectic working
conditions. 80% of the surveyed
households were found to be under
heavy debt, and majority had taken
loans to meet their expenses. 43.5 %
of loans were taken to buy food, 15%
for medical treatments, 14% for
marriages or funeral arrangements
while 6.7% of loans were taken to
generate income through other
means and small businesses.
This data can be really useful in
researching this situation further,
while keeping in mind the following
recommendations.
While child labour is a crime according to law, there
needs to be more awareness raising in the community
regarding the law and the repercussions of breaking it.
Steps to abolish child labour should be supported with
provision of schools for children, marketing linkages for
local occupations and crafts by making communities the
owner of their businesses, thus preventing from external
exploitation
There is a need for consistent lobbying and advocacy to
minimise child labour in Thar particularly, and in Sindh
generally, by ensuring the proactive involvement of
district and provincial government authorities and other
decision makers.
Facilitate and sensitise the government to take steps to
get workers out of debt and bonded slavery through the
provision of funds and monitoring committees.
Easy micro-financing facilities should be made available
to those who are willing to start their own businesses.
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