Social and Economic Factors of Working Children in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Child labor remains a persistent reality in Pakistan, particularly in urban centers such as Lahore, the capital of Punjab Province. Punjab is the country's largest and most influential province in terms of population and public policymaking. Despite extensive discussions among policymakers, scholars, and social activists, reliable data on child labor remain limited. Most child laborers are engaged in informal employment, which often falls outside the scope of labor regulations and official monitoring mechanisms. This study investigates the factors that contribute to child labor and the reasons why families choose to send their children to work rather than to school. Data was collected from vulnerable child workers across different areas of Lahore. The findings are alarming and reveal multiple factors that increase the vulnerability of children. These include low levels of parental education and awareness, large joint-family systems, low household income, and severe economic hardships. Although children contribute to household earnings, their share in improving family economic conditions remains minimal. The majority of child workers are young and inexperienced, often lacking the maturity and knowledge required to distinguish between safe and unsafe situations. Furthermore, the government has been unable to adequately ensure basic rights such as food, shelter, education, and healthcare for vulnerable families through effective legislation and implementation. The study concludes that key stakeholders have not sufficiently addressed the existing gaps and shortcomings in policies and interventions aimed at eliminating child labor.