The EU, NCRC and UNDP launch report on child labor in Pakistan’s private sector

Islamabad, 8 April 2026 - Through the Huqooq-e-Pakistan II project funded by the European Union (EU), the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the report "At the Margins of Protection: Child Labor in Pakistan's Private Sector". The publication brings together evidence and policy insights to better understand and address child labor across private sector value chains.

In Pakistan, one in every ten children is engaged in child labor, often in conditions that are hazardous, exploitative, and hidden from formal oversight. The report's comprehensive analysis of child labor in Pakistan's private sector finds that structural drivers such as poverty, limited access to education, and weak enforcement mechanisms continue to place children at risk, particularly in informal and supply chain-linked environments where exploitation remains least visible.

The launch convened senior government officials, human and child rights experts, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, development partners, and UN agencies to discuss the report's key findings.

Philipp Oliver Gross, Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union to Pakistan, commended the NCRC's efforts towards monitoring child labour, stating that, "The report being launched today is a key stepping stone in advancing the efforts to address the issue of child labour, which affects 8.6 million children in Pakistan. Ending child labour is a strong commitment of the Government of Pakistan, and at the heart of its international commitments, notably to continue benefitting from the GSP+ status."

Drawing on extensive consultations across provinces, key informant interviews, and a review of legal and institutional frameworks, the report identifies critical challenges including disjointed data systems, limited labor inspection coverage, and gaps in coordination between federal and provincial stakeholders. It highlights the need for integrated responses that link social protection, education retention, and livelihoods support.

Dr. Samuel Rizk, UNDP Resident Representative, noted the pressing need for institutional reform, adding, "I commend NCRC's leadership, and their unwavering effort to protect one of the most vulnerable segments of society - Pakistan's children - in law, in policy and in practice. This is visible today in the launch of this report on child labor in Pakistan's private sector, a practice that is not only widespread, but often remains hidden in informal sectors and lower tiers of supply chains. UNDP is committed to supporting Pakistan's institutions, data systems, and policies that protect its most valuable asset - the future generation."

The report calls for a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated, systems-based approach, including harmonization of legal standards across provinces, strengthening labor inspections, improving data integration, and greater private sector accountability. These recommendations align with the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP-BHR) which identifies child labor as a priority area.

Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chairperson NCRC, reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to ending child labor, describing the report as "not an endpoint but a roadmap for action. NCRC will continue to work with government institutions, development partners, and the private sector to translate these recommendations into concrete measures that protect children and strengthen accountability mechanisms across Pakistan."

The launch marks a key milestone under the Huqooq-e-Pakistan II project, reinforcing collective efforts to address child labor through evidence-based policymaking, institutional strengthening, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

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For further details, please contact:

• Fizza Bangash, Communications Analyst at UNDP Pakistan, at [email protected] or +92 (51) 835 5631
• Samar Saeed Akhtar, Communications, Press and Information Officer, [email protected], Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan
• Ali Abbas, Strategic Engagement Officer at the National Commission on the Rights of Child, at [email protected]

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