Causes of Child Labour in Agriculture in District Tando Allahyar, Sindh, Pakistan within the Framework of the Circular Economy

Abstract

Child labour is an agricultural issue. Globally 60 percent of the population ranging from the age of 5 to 17 belong to agriculture sector. Major cause behind child labour is poverty. The present research was conducted to examine socio-economic characteristics of respondents working in agriculture, and for discovering major causes of child labour engaged in agriculture sector. The data were collected from two Talukas (Chamber and Jhando Mari) of District Tando Allahyar, Sindh, Pakistan. Data were gathered through purposive sampling from 100 respondents (Child labour from 5-14 years) including their parents/guardians who were personally interviewed with the help of detailed questionnaire. The results showed that based on age group and educational level 77 % of the child labour were between the age group of 11–14 years and 80 % of the child labour were illiterate while 81% of their parents were illiterate. Child labour was engaged in different activities such as 79% of the children were engaged in cropping, 16 % were involved in livestock and 6% were engaged in fish farming. 24% of the child labour cited poverty as major reason behind their work. 52% of the children worked 7-10 hours. While examining socioeconomic characteristic of the parents of child labour we found that 63% possessed mud-built house and 68% were involved in labour as farmers. Keeping in view our findings it is suggested that government and NGOs should launch many types of programs related to the study such as opening evening school programs and centers in villages to promote education to create awareness where child labour is common. Government should also provide funds and opportunities of earning and employment for the young household family members and pass legislation to ban child labour in agriculture sector.