950817

EPB survey negates western propaganda

Only 20 pc children

involved in carpet

weaving industry

MUZAFFAR QURESHI

KARACHI: A survey conducted by the Export Promotion Bureau reveals that only 20 percent child labour is involved in carpet weaving at the 12 weaving centres in the country. This negates the Western media propaganda that Pakistan's carpet industry employs 80 percent child labour.

This was stated by the Vice-Chairman of Export Promotion Bureau, Abu Shamim Arif, at a seminar on Child Labour, organised by the Third World Communications at a local hotel on Thursday.

The seminar was presided over by the Minister of State and Chairman of Export Promotion Bureau, Mian Habibullah, in the absence of Commerce Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar who could not turn up due to his engagements in Islamabad. The Adviser to the Prime Minister on Human Rights, Kamran Haider Rizvi, who was supposed to be the chief guest at the function also did not attend.

Speaking at the seminar, Mian Habibullah said that the government was seriously concerned over the sinister Western propaganda maligning Pakistan carpet and sports industries for bonded and child labour.

The EPB, he said, has launched a public awareness campaign to wipe out the impression of child labour in Pakistan's export industries. The programme envisages preparation of documentary films, inviting representative of foreign media to have an on-the-spot investigation and arranging visits of businessmen-cum-official delegations aboard to explain the correct position about child labour in Pakistan.

He advised exporters not to be discouraged by the adverse propaganda and concentrate their efforts on improving quality and production of the export products. The EPB has reserved Rs 1,000 million for setting up 30 training institutes in various fields to improve the skills of managers, technicians and workers. Of this fund, Rs 600 million has already been disbursed.

EPB Vice-Chairman Abu Shamim Arif in his keynote address announced amids loud applause that the export of quality Pakistani carpets, which had declined in the last few years, has registered an increase despite the malicious and baseless propaganda against the carpet industry.

He asked the Western media to differentiate between bonded and child labour, which is constitutionally banned in Pakistan. Pakistan is equally concerned about the welfare of children and cannot allow exploitation of children in any form, he asserted.

Abu Shamim Arif said, it will be foolish to claim that the child labour does not exist at all in Pakistan. The child labour in the country is mainly involved in brick making and mining which has never drawn the sympathy of the Western media. They have targeted our export-oriented industries not for their love for children but for their hostility against Pakistan and selfish interest.

He said that the art of carpet weaving has survived through centuric as a family tradition as children after finishing school not only learn the art but also contribute to the income of their poor families.

He admitted that we have failed to provide proper education and health facilities to the children, specially in villages where the weaving centres exist.

He suggested to the Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association to gradually reduce the number of children working in the industry and provide them proper schooling and health care. The job should be assigned to an NGO.

He called for holding similar seminars not only in big cities but also at the weaving centres in remote areas of the country.

The seminar was also addressed by the Executive Director of Third World Communications, Akhtar Hadi, Chairman - Standing Committee on Labour, FPCCI, Shahnawaz Ishtiaque, former Sindh Minister and ex-president FPCCI Yousuf Zia, and acting Vice-Chairman of Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Assocation Siddiq Pervez.