French envoy terms child labour 'a crime'

In an awareness campaign against child labour, arranged by Embassy of France, French Ambassador Marc Barety has said that child labour is a crime and unless and until the people are made aware of this crime as well as its consequences, it would be difficult to curb it.

Child labour is slavery which is an offence and must come to an end, Marc Barety further said while addressing the event organized here at a local club on Wednesday.

In the event, MPA Uzma Kardar said that the government of Pakistan is working on the implementation of law by empowering the law enforcement agencies in this regard. She said the government has passed child labor bill in which 16 years is the minimum age for doing work.

He said there is law on the issue and unless the law is implemented , this curse can not come to an end.

Speaking on the occasion, Valerie Khan, a human rights activist and head of Acid Survivor Foundation, said that child labor is a crime and should be condemned. But, for that matter, it is necessary to spread awareness, she further said.

She said education is basic need of every child and it is important to educate people to not indulge child into forced labor violating the law. She further said that according to Pakistan Penal Code, child labor is a crime and its violation is punishable.