IPEC Action in Pakistan
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the ILO and the Government of Pakistan
in 1994. The National Steering Committee (NSC) that has been created under this cooperation agreement
is chaired by the Federal Secretary for Labour. The NSC is comprised of representatives of the concerned
Federal ministries (social welfare, education, health, planning, finance), representatives of employers' and
workers' organizations, and NGOs.
The role of the NSC has been gradually changing from a forum for sharing of information and experience
to a coordinating body on child labour issues. This new role has become increasingly important since
different ministries have formed committees of their own to address the issue from their perspective.
After having signed the MoU with the Government of Pakistan, IPEC designed and funded a series of
action programmes and mini programmes to address child labour issues in various sectors with a diverse
group of implementing partners all over the country. The sectors where initial IPEC interventions were
made included carpet weaving, auto workshops, leather tanning, street children, beggars, and child
domestic workers. The action programmes were implemented in collaboration with government
departments, trade unions, employers' associations, and civil society organizations. A number of short
duration, mini programmes, including awareness workshops with a wide range of stakeholders,
recreational events, awareness films, and educational material, were supported to complement the
interventions being made through the action programmes.
Since 1997, IPEC has been designing broader types of intervention through IPEC projects on the
elimination of child labour. The first major project, which was funded by the US Department of Labour,
was initiated in Sialkot to eliminate child labour in the soccer ball industry.
Currently, there are six ongoing projects on the elimination of child labour, along with four core action
programmes, all part of the country programme financed by Germany.
Overview of ongoing projects
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