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Local government

Sindh Child Protection Authority Faces Criticism Over Janitor Exploitation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Social activists have penned a letter to provincial government officials, claiming that the Sindh Child Protection Authority is failing to protect minors employed as janitors in Karachi. The letter, written by Helpline Trust, alleges that young boys and girls, aged 12 to 15, are being cruelly exploited by local contractors working under the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB). These minors are reportedly paid an illegal and exploitative salary of Rs12,000 per month, which is far below the current minimum wage of Rs17,500.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Sindh Child Protection Authority may have been established in 2011, but provincial government bodies are still employing minors as janitors and garbage pickers to sweep the streets and lift solid waste in the city.
  • Social activists claim that the SSWMB is engaged in child abuse and child labour by employing janitors including 12 to 15-year-old boys and girls.
  • The janitors are paid an illegal and exploitative salary of Rs12,000 per month, which is far below the current minimum wage of Rs17,500.
  • The workers are neither registered with the Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution nor any other form of social security.
  • The Sindh Child Protection Authority is urged to provide immediate support to children below 18 years of age.
  • The National Commission on Child Rights has sought reports from Sindh government departments, including the strengthening and implementation of laws prohibiting child labour.
  • The commission has also communicated with Sindh authorities to set up district-level vigilance committees to advise the administration on effective implementation of the Sindh Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 2015.

Statistics:

  • 12 to 15-year-old boys and girls are being employed as janitors by local contractors working under the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB).
  • Rs12,000 per month is the illegal and exploitative salary paid to janitors, which is far below the current minimum wage of Rs17,500.
  • 5,000 workers and employees are employed in five districts of Karachi by the SSWMB.

Sources:

  • " Social activists write to Sindh CM, HR minister, and other officials over exploitation of minor janitors" by The Express Tribune (no date provided)
  • "Helpline Trust writes to Sindh governor over exploitation of minor janitors" (letter dated no date provided)
  • Shamim Mumtaz, chairperson Sindh Child Protection Authority (no date provided)

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