ISLAMABAD, July 6: Pakistan Baitul Maal (PBM) will open 50 new schools in the current year all over the country for child labourers, Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education Zobaida Jalal said on Wednesday. She was talking to the chief technical advisor of International Labour Organization (ILO) in her office here. With the establishment of 50 new schools, their total number will become 150 which will be a great step forward in offering educational facilities to the child labourers.

They also discussed this year’s world child labour day theme “children working in mines and quarries” and the government of Pakistan’s efforts to fight this menace.

Child labourers are excessively used in the coal mines of Balochistan and the miseries attached to this business have been highlighted every now and then. The meeting focused on the steps the government is currently taking in this regard as well as its future course of action.

They also reviewed the status of ILO Convention Against Worst Forms of Child Labour, which Pakistan had singed in 2001. The ILO project manager of domestic child labour, Salma Jafar, who was also present on the occasion, said efforts would be made to bring a second phase of domestic child labour project to address the issues of these children.

The minister told the ILO official that out of 50 new schools, some would be set up at the Balochistan coal mines. These schools will not only impart education to these children but also provide them with health facilities and clean drinking water.