November 21, 2008	Friday	Ziqa'ad 22, 1429

KARACHI, Nov 20: Sindh Labour Minister Amir Nawab has said that children are an asset of the country and it is the government’s responsibility to protect their rights and provide them good education and training.

He sought support of private organisations and NGOs for the elimination of child labour.

In his statement on Children’s Day, the minister said it was essential to have the cooperation of conscience people of the society, as well as families, to wipe out child labour.

Natural calamities, accidents and dismemberment of families are also major factors leading to child labour, according to him.Religiously and morally, he said, the constitution of Pakistan did not allow children to be forced into labour.

He said that the relevant law was being amended to ensure protection to children in accordance with the ILO conventions.—APP