A study of child labor in manufacturing industries: A comparative study between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Abstract

It has been well said: Naturally, human beings by birth are born free. Throughout life, one learns from nature. Necessary welfare amenities need to be provided for nourishing and upbringing of all the children on equal footings. It is irony of fate that since creation of our independence, we have been inherited the nuisance of class- distinctions. The life standard of well-to- do families in our country is far better than poor strata of society. In both Pakistan and Bangladesh, even the basic facilities of accommodation, food, education, health and job allocation etc. are not provided rather denied to less privileged class. Those families who are unable to afford their off-spring basic schooling- have no other option but to involve them in child labor in different work places. Such children both male/ female of age group about 8 to 14 years have to toil in various factories and industries in both the countries i.e. Pakistan and Bangladesh. Having been less privileged class, the children of poor families become earning hands of their respective families. Resultantly, their health and over- all growth is badly affected as such innocent children are forced to work in bonded labor in various work- places like manufacturing industries of carpets, garments and brick kiln etc. Child Labor can be viewed as something which engage a child but simultaneously takes away his childhood and of course deprive him of receiving education rather child labor plays a negative part on child’s psychological aspects. Before fall of Dacca in 1971, Pakistan and Bangladesh were together as one country, the issue of economic problem existed and there was lack of development of manufacturing industries. In rural areas, bonded labor has increased widely and such children are forced to work through- out their life to repay the outstanding amounts. Children working under such atrocities, often face serious health issues. Their mental health suffers because of torture with low self-esteem.