Poverty is culprit here because child labour does not get fair treatment, it is easy to suppress him/her, it is easy to abuse her because he or she is helpless without their vigilant guardian. They are forced to do unsafe jobs with little to no protection. These children suffer physically, mentally, emotionally even sexually abused.
by Hajra Seithi
Have you ever heard Chottayyy! table no 11 te roti de. No?? so here is reality of all “chottay” and “chotties” in Pakistan. Child Labour is increasing in Pakistan with alarming rates. It is disturbing and heartbreaking to see children who should be playing outside or studying, but they are sent to work in factories and dangerous industries. These children’s rights are stolen away from them. The right to education and the chance to have a bright future are taken from them.
Child labour is a worldwide problem, but it is worse in Pakistan. Eleven million Pakistani children are working as child labour. Poverty is culprit here because child labour does not get fair treatment, it is easy to suppress him/her, it is easy to abuse her because he or she is helpless without their vigilant guardian. They are forced to do unsafe jobs with little to no protection. These children suffer physically, mentally, emotionally even sexually abused. They do not get a normal childhood, and it is not fair. These become psychologically unfit for society because what they get will send.
Islam teaches that children should be cared for and treated with love and affection. They should get emotional support, and kindness should be encouraged, but due to child labour, children’s basic needs are neglected. Islam teaches that children should have the right to be educated.
“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” (Ibn Majah)
Children should have protection. Children should not be physically, mentally, and emotionally harmed in any circumstances because they are builders of future.
‘Do not harm yourselves or others.”(Sunan Ibn Majah)
Child labour often involves long working hours in harsh conditions leading to physical harm. It
may also cause mental health issues due to the burden of overworking the children. Children may also face anxiety and depression due to a lack of emotional support. In Islam, children have the right to fair treatment. They must be treated fairly and equally, but child labour goes against it. There is a hadith:
“Fear Allah and be just to your children.” (Sahih Bukhari)
- Not only Islam but state also provides children with right to have education and that too is free on public level. A change in mind set toward education of children is must, for that campighns on social media n electronic media should run.
- However there should be more schools in rural areas, and facilities in public schools should improve.
- There should also be more scholarship opportunities for underprivileged students.
Islam shows importance in providing their family without burdening the child at a young age.
“You are responsible for your flock.” (Sahih Muslim)
We should implement more Child support. Parents should be accessible to loans to start a small business.
It is government’s responsibility to control poverty hence people could improve their living standards; whereas no parent is forced to send children to work depriving them of education and right to live happy childhood.
Hence Islam is against harming yourself or others, so it is important to eradicate child labour and harming children. Strict laws could be enforced against child labour especially in dangerous workplaces like factories and non-environment friendly industries. It is very important to raise more awareness and empower child rights organisations. It is collective responsibility of society to protect children rights. Hence following the principles of justice taught in Islam will bear fruit of better growth and unburdened generation.
