ISLAMABAD, April 7: The International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with the labour ministry has launched a project to support ragpicker children. Under ILO’s International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC), support will be provided for the elimination of worst forms of child labour and welfare of child labourers.

The project will operate in seven districts, including Rawalpindi, and will provide social protection to children working in various hazardous sectors.

It will be implemented by the ILO with district government organizations as key partners as well as workers and employers’ organizations.

Senior Programme Officer, ILO, M. Saifullah Chaudhry said the project would raise awareness among the general public on issues and concerns related to occupational safety and health issues in ragpicking.

He said worst forms of child labour concern would be highlighted through promotion of sports, art and cultural events at local and district levels.

Saifullah Chaudhry said under the project education and training opportunities would be provided to 1,400 child labourers and their siblings in the age group of 5-17 years in Rawalpindi comprising 1,100 boys and 300 girls.

Similarly, 1,000 children in the age group of 5-14 years will be provided non-formal education in more than 30 non-formal educational centres.

As many as 400 children in the age group of 15-17 years will be provided basic literacy including awareness regarding health and safety through counselling.

In this regard, 16 literacy centres will be established under the project, he said.

More than 100 child labourers, under the project, will be linked to existing social safety nets available under district zakat schemes and Baitul Mal programmes for scholarship to continue their education and vocational training.

Similarly, about 100 families of child labourers in ragpicking will be linked to existing social safety nets available under District Zakat schemes and Baitul Mal programmes for grants. —APP