On the occasion of World Children’s Rights Day which celebrates the approval of the UN Convention on the rights of children and adolescents, Rai broadcast a very sweet film that induces reflection: Iqbal – Children without fear, made by directors Michel Fuzellier and Babak Payamiin collaboration with Unicef.
If, in fact, among the fundamental principles for the respect for children’s rights we find listening to the minor’s opinions and the right to survivalit is on this point that there is still a lot to do. Do you have any idea in how many parts of the world there are still examples of child exploitation?
A point on which this beautiful film focuses, inspired by the true story of Iqbal MasihPakistani child worker, son of Christian parents, who died in 1995 at just 12 years old and became in spite of himself symbol of the fight against child labor.
Iqbal was born into a very poor family. At the age of four, he was sold as a worker in a carpet factory to pay off a family debt. Forced to work in inhuman conditions, he managed to escape at the age of ten and joined the Bonded Labor Liberation Front (BLLF), actively engaging in free other child slaves.
On April 16, 1995, while cycling to Easter mass, he was murdered. The circumstances of his death remain controversial: some attribute the murder to “carpet mafia“, while the local authorities spoke of a dispute with a farmer.
After his death, there was some movement on the exploitation of children in the Pakistani carpet industry, but there is still much to be done.
The conditions of children in Pakistan
Despite the efforts of Iqbal and organizations like the BLLF, child labor remains a scourge in Pakistan. According to a 2021-2022 Pakistan Bureau of Statistics survey, over 1.2 million children between the ages of 10 and 14 are employed, with 56% of them in the agricultural sector.
However, unofficial estimates suggest that the total number of child laborers may be as high as 10 million. Widespread poverty, thelimited access to education and the lack of effective social protection systems contribute to perpetuating this situation.
Globally, child labor still involves 160 million children aged 5 to 17, with 79 million engaged in hazardous work. Despite international commitments, such as Convention no. 182 of the International Labor Organization, which calls for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor, progress is slow and the 2020 pandemic has further aggravated the situation, increasing the risk of exploitation for millions of children.
To effectively address the problem, it is crucial to implement policies that improve access to education, strengthen social safety nets and promote decent work opportunities for adults, thus reducing the need for children’s economic contribution. Only through a commitment at a national and international level will it be possible to honor the memory of Iqbal Masih and guarantee a better future for children around the world.
