Pak takes steps to end child labour in cotton industry

19 Apr '16

2 min read

Pakistani Commerce Minister told Khurram Dastagir Khan told the National Assembly (Parliament) recently that the government was taking steps to end forced child labour in the cotton industry. He also said that concrete steps are also being taken to avoid use of pesticides which were damaging the health of these children, Pakistani newspapers have reported.

Pakistan is the world's fourth largest cotton producer. In the next session of Parliament, he said his ministry would inform the House about the number of forced child labour in the cotton industry. Khan also said that the Punjab and Sindh governments have started addressing the issue.

He said agricultural pesticides were regulated items under law. The import, distribution and sale of agro commodities are in the private sector, he said. Khan said according to the WHO toxicity classification the registered pesticides in Pakistan were moderately hazardous and easily degradable.

No pesticides other than those internationally recommended and following FAO code of conduct on distribution and use, are registered in Pakistan. He said that the government has banned all pesticides having potential for damaging human health as declared by the Rotterdam Convention. (SH)

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