Stakeholders unite in Lahore to accelerate efforts against child labour
LAHORE : – On World Day Against Child Labour 2025, stakeholders from government, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and civil society came together in Lahore to reaffirm their commitment to eliminating child labour in Pakistan. The event was organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) Pakistan in collaboration with the Labour Research and Development Institute (LRDI) and the Pakistan United Workers Federation (PUWF).
Held under the global theme “Progress is evident, but there’s more to do: let’s speed up efforts!”, the event brought together representatives from government, workers’ and employers’ organizations, civil society, and communities engaged in cotton production. It was organized under the ILO’s project Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in the Cotton Supply Chain – RISE for Impact, which works to eliminate child labour and promote social justice in Pakistan’s cotton sector.
Geir Thomas Tonstol, Director, ILO Country Office for Pakistan, said “Child labour remains one of the gravest violations of fundamental rights. Despite progress, millions of children in Pakistan – especially girls – continue to face hazardous working conditions, driven by poverty, inequality, and the impacts of climate change.”
Highlighting recent national child labour survey findings, Mr. Tonstol emphasized the urgency of scaling up integrated policy responses, including investments in social protection, access to quality education, and decent work for adults. “The future of a child is the future of Pakistan. We must act now to ensure every child can learn, play, and dream,” he added.
Chaudhary Amjad Ali Javed, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Labour and Human Resource, Government of the Punjab, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive labour reform. He noted that upcoming legislation would extend protections to agricultural workers and reflect broader coverage under the Punjab Industrial Relations Act.
Participants heard firsthand from beneficiaries of the RISE for Impact project in Punjab and Sindh, who shared stories of positive change in their communities. The project has helped strengthen child protection mechanisms, reduce violence and abuse, and support the withdrawal of children from labour in cotton-growing areas
A panel discussion featuring government, workers, employers, and civil society explored the intersection of child labour and the right to education in agriculture. The session concluded with recommendations for both policy reform and grassroots-level action.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
