International Labour Organization (ILO)

Combating Child Labour in the Informal Sectors in Lahore District

Proposed Duration: April 2001- March 2003

Objectives:

• To contribute towards elimination of child labour in Pakistan by withdrawing 600 children from work engaged in hotels/restaurants, brick kiln and domestic service;

• To launch advocacy campaign on the rights of girl child by engaging a national figure from arts/culture as a spokes person and organize women group for follow up action;

• To achieve sustainability of the education process for children through family empowerment.

Activities:

• Identification of the target group, withdrawal of children from work, placement in the non-formal education centres, and procurement of books for the children;

• Set up examination system at local level where children need to be mainstreamed to public schools and identify cases of vulnerable younger siblings;

• Enroll children in NFE Centres, or facilitate their enrolment in the formal schools;

• Identify children above age 12 for enrolment in Skill Training, identify the marketability of trades through a rapid survey and develop database of candidates for various training facilities in pre-determined available trades, engage local NGO partners for purchase of training for 250 children;

• Create linkages with employers for future placement of trained young persons and carry out survey for enhancement of earning possibilities of mothers;

• Identify 100 families who should be given micro-credit, provide training on use of fund released under micro-credit facility, and provide micro-credit to those families;

• Engage a nationally famous and popular entertainment personality to act as a goodwill Ambassador to raise awareness against child labour;

Remarks:

This action program has a strong gender sensitive content and focuses on creating gender sensitive environment through media.