Child Labor: A comparative Study on Child Labor and related Law Practices in Pakistan

Abstract

Child labor remains one of the most pressing socio-economic and human rights issues in Pakistan. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the determinants, psycho-social consequences, and legal framework of child labor with special focus on Punjab and Sindh provinces. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research employed a structured questionnaire with 200 respondents and conducted in-depth interviews along with Focus Group Discussions involving child laborers and NGO representatives in Sadiqabad and Lahore in 2021. The findings indicate that poverty is the primary cause of child labor (82.8%), compounded by large family size, costly and poor-quality education, rural-urban migration, cultural norms, and corruption. Although 87.7% of respondents strongly opposed child labor, it is still viewed as a “necessary evil” for survival among poor families. Children working mainly in agriculture and the automobile industry suffer severe psycho-social problems including physical and sexual abuse, drug exposure, lack of education, and emotional trauma. Despite a comprehensive legal framework comprising constitutional provisions (Articles 3, 11(3), 25(A), 37(e)) and provincial laws such as the Punjab Employment of Children Act 2016 and Sindh Children (Prohibition of Employment) Act 2017, weak implementation, lack of political will, corruption, and poor monitoring mechanisms continue to undermine its effectiveness. The study concludes that child labor is a multifaceted problem rooted in poverty and governance failures, and recommends integrated interventions focusing on poverty alleviation, quality education, strict law enforcement, and institutional strengthening.

Keywords: Child Labor, Poverty, Legal Framework, Pakistan, Punjab-Sindh Comparison