On August 31, the provincial government of Punjab, Pakistan, was urged to take immediate legislative action for the effective outlawing of child domestic labor at a provincial policy dialogue. The call was made by representatives from the Search for Justice, Children Advocacy Network Pakistan, National Commission for Human Rights, and the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) Punjab. They brought attention to the fact that child domestic labor is not only a violation of the rights recognized by the UNCRC but also of the fundamental rights safeguarded by Pakistan’s Constitution.
Prominent cases of child domestic labor abuse in Pakistan have led to increasing calls to address this issue. A notable case involved the death of a 10-year-old domestic worker, Fatima Furiro, in Ranipur town, Sindh province, due to violent abuse, as reported by The Guardian. Similarly, incidents involving other child domestic workers like Rizwana and Zainab also underscore the urgent need for reform.
The Punjab Domestic Workers Act 2019 aims to safeguard the rights and regulate the employment of domestic workers. However, its effectiveness is limited due to the minimum employment age being set at 15 years under Article 3 of the Act. Additionally, the absence of specified safe working conditions for minors and a complaint process or rehabilitation program for those rescued from abusive workplaces weakens the impact of the Act. Elsewhere, the Islamabad Domestic Workers Bill 2021 outlawed child labor in domestic work entirely but is applicable only to the federally administered territory, highlighting the gaps in Pakistan’s child labor laws and policies.
The prevalence of domestic work for women and children can be attributed to socio-economic factors such as poverty, inflation, lack of alternative opportunities, and the need to supplement family income. Added to this, Pakistan’s growing population and high unemployment rates have resulted in child labor being easily available and unregulated.
The call for change is not merely about constitutional reform. It is a call to challenge the deeply rooted cultural norms surrounding domestic labor. Addressing these societal norms is crucial to changing the reality of child domestic labor and ensuring children are not only protected by laws but also in their implementation. Such reform may help ensure that child domestic labor does not interfere with the child’s education and health.
This report originally appeared on JURIST – News.