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CLF to set up 100 more centres for cost-free education to children

KARACHI: The Child Labour Foundation (CLF), a joint venture of Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) will open 100 similar centres in collaboration with International Labour Organisation (ILO) to provide cost-free education to 3,000 children.

The Foundation is already providing free education to 3,000 children association with carpet weaving industry at its 30 schools set up during the last two years.

This was stated by Chairman PCMEA, Yaqoob H. Salehji at a seminar held by the association, a news release said on Sunday.

State Minister and Chairman EPB, Tariq Ikram and Dr. Khawar Jamil were special guests at the seminar.

He said during his recent visit to Lahore the foundation decided to open a school for carpet weaving children in Karachi also in April next year.

Yaqoob Salehji said the foundation of a Carpet Training Institute (CTI) had also been laid through CLF. The Institute will impart complete training in carpet production not only to those associated with its weaving but also to the jobless. The Institute will also provide healthcare besides teaching the old persons.

Talking of removal of misconceptions about carpet industry's labour practices in the foreign media he said the efforts of the government and the association were not bearing the desired results due to ineffective publicity campaign. It was casting a worst impact on the country's foreign trade, he observed.

His association, he said, was striving its best to support the economy and work for the welfare of persons associated with this industry.

The PCMEA chief also spoke about programmes being framed to be benefit from modern research and take steps for development of carpet industry besides provision of cost-free looms to successful trainees of carpet production courses, enabling them to pursue the skill in their respective homes instead of roaming in cities in search of business. APP