child labour in wheat straw and recycled paper supply chains...

Final Report

Child Labour in Wheat Straw and Recycled Paper Supply Chains

July, 2012

Submitted to

Stora Enso Renewable Packaging

Submitted by

SEBCON Socio-Economic and Business Consultants

Islamabad-Pakistan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary

1 Background .......................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Socio-Economic Fact Sheet of Pakistan .................................................................... 1

1.2 ILO’s Definition of Child Labour ................................................................................. 1

1.2.1 Worst Forms .......................................................................................................... 2

1.2.2 Hazardous Forms .................................................................................................. 2

1.3 Conventions & Laws in Pakistan ................................................................................ 2

1.4 Child Labour in Regional Context .............................................................................. 3

2 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 5

3 Specific Objectives ............................................................................................................... 6

4 Methodology and Sample Design ........................................................................................ 7

5 Waste Paper Supply Chain ................................................................................................ 10

5.1 Establishing Waste Paper Supply Chain and the Incidence of Child Labour ............ 13

5.2 Survey of Child Scavengers ..................................................................................... 14

5.2.1 Current Residence and Origin .............................................................................. 14

5.2.2 Location and Age ................................................................................................. 15

5.2.3 Level of Literacy and Age .................................................................................... 15

5.2.4 Orphanage and Living Patterns ........................................................................... 16

5.2.5 Source and Weekly Level of Collection ................................................................ 16

5.2.6 Work Characteristics ............................................................................................ 18

5.2.7 Health .................................................................................................................. 18

5.3 Impressions from Focused Group Discussion with Children .................................... 20

5.4 Views and Impressions of Parents on Child Work in Waste Paper Collection .......... 21

5.4.1 Migration .............................................................................................................. 21

5.4.2 Comparative Structures of Educational Status of Parents and their Children (Scavengers) ..................................................................................................................... 22

5.4.3 Employment Status of Family Members by Age ................................................... 23

5.4.4 Desire to Educate Children .................................................................................. 23

5.4.5 Proportion of Child’s Income in Household Income .............................................. 24

5.4.6 Needed Incentives for Schooling .......................................................................... 24

5.4.7 Child Labour as a Threat to Children’s Health ...................................................... 25

5.4.8 Potential Threats to Health ................................................................................... 26

5.4.9 Average Level of Daily Earnings by Children ....................................................... 26

5.4.10 Extent of Child Labour ......................................................................................... 27

5.4.11 Average Family Size ............................................................................................ 27

5.4.12 Summary ............................................................................................................. 28

5.5 Survey of Commercial Units .................................................................................... 28

5.5.1 Type of Commercial Units .................................................................................... 28

5.5.2 Locations ............................................................................................................. 29

5.5.3 Age of Commercial Units ..................................................................................... 29

5.5.4 Disposal of Brown Paper ..................................................................................... 29

5.5.5 Disposal of White Paper ...................................................................................... 30

5.5.6 Other Types of Waste Paper Disposal ................................................................. 30

5.5.7 Selling of Waste Paper ........................................................................................ 31

5.5.8 Sources to which Waste Paper is Sold................................................................. 31

5.5.9 Scavengers Collecting Paper Waste .................................................................... 32

5.6 Survey of Small Vendors ......................................................................................... 33

5.6.1 Sorting and Grading ............................................................................................. 34

5.6.2 Children Participation in Sorting and Grading....................................................... 34

5.6.3 Mode of Payment to Children ............................................................................... 35

5.6.4 Planning for Future Expansion ............................................................................. 35

5.6.5 Need for Financial Resources .............................................................................. 36

5.6.6 Training Requirements ......................................................................................... 36

5.6.7 Willingness to Join “Packages” Chain .................................................................. 36

5.6.8 Children in the Supply of Paper ........................................................................... 37

5.6.9 Number of Children Involved in Paper Supply ...................................................... 37

5.6.10 Proportion of Waste Paper Supplied by Children ................................................. 38

5.6.11 Quality Based Sorting and Grading ...................................................................... 38

5.6.12 Difference in Wages between Adults and Children .............................................. 39

5.6.13 Health Risk to Children in Sorting and Grading .................................................... 39

5.6.14 State of Emergency Medical Aid at Small Vendors .............................................. 40

5.7 Survey of Bulk Suppliers .......................................................................................... 40

5.7.1 Sources of Waste Paper supplies to Mills ............................................................ 41

5.7.2 Prospects for Future Expansion ........................................................................... 41

5.7.3 Need for Financial Resources .............................................................................. 41

5.7.4 Needed Training Requirements ........................................................................... 42

5.7.5 Sources of supply to large vendors ...................................................................... 42

6 Wheat Straw Supply Chain ................................................................................................ 43

6.1 Establishing Wheat Straw Supply Chain and the Incidence of Child Labour ............ 45

6.2 Survey of Children Working in Wheat Harvesting .................................................... 45

6.2.1 Location and Gender ........................................................................................... 46

6.2.2 Location and Age ................................................................................................. 46

6.2.3 Education, Level of Literacy and Age ................................................................... 47

6.2.4 Orphanage and Living Pattern ............................................................................. 48

6.2.5 Work Characteristics ............................................................................................ 49

6.2.6 Health .................................................................................................................. 50

6.2.7 Length and Type of Sickness and Associated Monthly Expenditure ..................... 50

6.3 Impressions from Focused Group Discussions with Children ................................... 51

6.4 Survey of Parents .................................................................................................... 53

6.4.1 Educational Levels of Respondents ..................................................................... 53

6.4.2 Employment Status .............................................................................................. 53

6.4.3 Desire to Send Children to School ....................................................................... 54

6.4.4 Child Labour - A Constraint to Children Education .............................................. 55

6.4.5 Child Labour - A Threat for Children ................................................................... 55

6.4.6 Child’s Earning Levels ......................................................................................... 55

6.4.7 Child as a Family Need ........................................................................................ 56

6.4.8 Duration of Child Labour Work During Wheat Harvesting .................................... 56

6.4.9 Financial Contribution towards Household Income .............................................. 57

6.4.10 Accessibility and Affordability of Child Education ................................................. 58

6.5 Survey of Wheat Straw Suppliers ............................................................................ 59

6.5.1 Child Work ........................................................................................................... 59

6.5.2 Incidence of Children Work at Farm: .................................................................... 59

6.5.3 Type of Work and Number of Children at Work: ................................................... 60

6.6 Survey of Purchase Centre Managers ..................................................................... 61

6.7 Survey of Bailing Centre Managers ......................................................................... 62

6.8 Survey of Transporters ............................................................................................ 63

6.9 Impressions from Focused Group Discussions with Village Elders .......................... 63

7 NGOs and Donor Interviews .............................................................................................. 65

7.1 Multilaterals ............................................................................................................. 65

7.1.1 International Labour Organization (ILO) ............................................................... 65

7.1.2 UNICEF ............................................................................................................... 65

7.2 INGOs ..................................................................................................................... 66

7.2.1 Save the Children ................................................................................................ 66

7.2.2 Plan International ................................................................................................. 66

7.2.3 Action-Aid Pakistan .............................................................................................. 66

7.3 Local NGOs ............................................................................................................. 67

7.3.1 SPARC ................................................................................................................ 67

7.3.2 Sungi Development Foundation ........................................................................... 67

7.3.3 Bunyad ................................................................................................................ 68

7.3.4 Sudhaar ............................................................................................................... 68

8 Overall Findings ................................................................................................................. 69

8.1 Plausible Causes of Child Labour in Pakistan .......................................................... 69

8.2 Social Obligations Towards Child Labour in Waste Disposal in Pakistan ................. 70

8.3 Inferences Made from Surveyed Data ...................................................................... 70

9 Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 72

9.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 72

9.2 Urban vs Rural Approach ......................................................................................... 72

9.3 Health Provisions ..................................................................................................... 72

9.4 Awareness ............................................................................................................... 73

9.5 Synergy with Stakeholders ...................................................................................... 73

Annexes:

Annex 1 List of Wheat Straw Suppliers

Annex 2 Details of Wheat Straw Purchase Centers

Annex 3 Supplier Base – Wheat Straw

Annex 4 List of Transporters – Wheat Straw

Annex 5 List of Bulk Suppliers Waste Paper

Annex 6 Waste Paper Collections by Region

Annex 7 Packages/IFC Project Status – Waste Paper

Annex 8 List of Organizations Supplying Waste Paper

Annex 9 List of Organizations in Communication for Future Supply of Waste Paper

Annex 10 Maps of Visited Areas with Key Locations

Annex 11 Pictures from the Field

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Executive Summary

Increased levels of urbanization and hence income levels in developing countries in recent

years have given rise to consumption in cities on one hand, and have led to higher

proportion of solid waste not disposed off or recycled by the public sector. The

accompanying rising levels of cost of production emphasized on recycling of waste. The

incapacity of the public sector organizations in the disposal or recycling of waste gave birth

to the informal sector to carry the excess burden.

Being informal in character, the operators of waste largely remained unrecorded, un-taxed

and unnoticed since they were undertaking the excess load of recycling in the absence of

public sector. This division of labour between public and private sectors seems efficiency

oriented but the neglect of pertinent aspects of the informal sector in recycling process by

the government as well as by the society accorded excessive leverage to the private sector

(which operates in the formal and informal sectors) to avoid existing laws, rules and

environmental needs of the society. This resulted in significant proportion of work carried

out by children of age 15 or below. In net terms the long term adverse consequences of

child labour was ignored in exchange for immediate gains through child labour.

With this general background, the present study focused on identifying and locating the

prevalence of child labor in waste paper recycling and wheat straw collection in Pakistan.

The basic objective was to determine whether the supply of ingredients in

recycling/preparation of paper by M/s. Packages (i.e. waste paper and wheat straw) carry

any contribution of child labour.

The study initially identified two distinctly different sources of raw materials used in

manufacturing paper. These included waste paper (from bigger cities and towns) and wheat

straw from wheat fields of Punjab province. Each of these two types of materials unfolded a

distinctly defined chain of activities and different actors in the collection, sorting, bailing and

transporting the required raw material to the paper mills.

Having understood the chain(s) and the actors in each case, a large number of field

instruments were devised to carryout surveys at each point in the chain. In addition,

consultative sessions were held with different stakeholders through Focus Group Discussion

and individual contacts. The purpose was to ascertain the working conditions, impact of

child labour on schooling, health hazards, household’s dependence on child labour as a

regular source of income, parents and employer’s views over child labour across different

activities of the supply chain and above all views of the working children.

The outcome of the analysis of survey data and other qualitative data suggest that on the

whole the incidence of child labor is significant, particularly at the stage of collection of straw

or waste paper, of the chain. However, the stringent requirements of M/s. Packages in

accepting waste paper for recycling suggest minimum chances that the child labour could be

directly linked to that part of the supply chain which provides waste paper to M/s. Packages.

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Another important aspect related to the waste paper supply chain is that of health hazards

and unhygienic environment in which the work of collection from field is carried out. This

reflects an alarming situation independent of the fact whether child labour exists or not.

The discussion with parents, employers and other stakeholder suggest abject poverty as the

main cause behind the existence of child labour. In order to stabilize the household

consumption, young age children are sent out to work. The analysis reveals that children

collecting waste paper originate from different regions and cities. These children migrate

with their parents. The children collecting wheat straw largely comes from the nearby areas

and in most of the cases work in field with their parents.

The working children had either no schooling or had left schools after 2 or 3 years to make

earnings. A comparison of educational status of working children with their parent’s level of

schooling suggests a somewhat complete similarity i.e. extremely low level of schooling or

no schooling.

The fieldwork and discussions with different stakeholders were instrumental in

understanding supply chain of waste paper and wheat straw for the paper mills. A formal

and visible construction of these chains thus prepared was extremely useful in highlighting

the working of such systems and identification of different stakeholders.

The data analysis further reveals the background under which child labour exists and the

working environment that affects their health status. The supply chain clearly indicates a mix

of formal and informal activities. The increased informality of the whole process, however,

indicates that recycling is a blessing for resource poor region like Pakistan and the public

sector restricts itself only to disposal of wastes on a limited scale. Those working within

these supply chains, particularly the working children, tend to perform a national duty with

limited gains and only in the short run. In the long run, these individuals may become

incapacitated to work due to the health hazards and the typical environmental conditions

they face from early ages.

Based on the results and outcome of the work, the study recommends an action plan to

introduce remedial measures in the short run, and measures that would help eliminate child

labor from the sector and establish the sector on healthy lives in the long run. The

recommended future plan of work for the sector thus includes a sketch of the programme

that needs to be initiated. The proposed programme entails different components related to

education, health, awareness and evaluation. The study also recommends that a detailed

study be carried out based on a thorough understanding and willingness to participate by

different stakeholders.

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1 BACKGROUND

In order to understand child labour in Packages Limited’s supply chains of wheat straw and

waste paper collection, it is important to understand the context of child labour in Pakistan.

1.1 Socio-Economic Fact Sheet of Pakistan1

Below is a fact sheet containing key socio-economic indicators of Pakistan.

Population 170 million (2010)

Youth Cohort (under 30) 63% (2010)

GDP/Capita (PPP US$) 2720 (2010)

Literacy Rate 60% (2010)

Education Budget (% of GDP) 2.5% (2010)

Health Budget 1 % (2010)

Wheat Production 24 million tons (2011)

Minimum Wage (PKR) 9000 (Punjab)/ 8000 (Rest of

Provinces) (2012)

Number of children working 3.3 million (1996)2

1.2 ILO’s Definition of Child Labour

The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines Child Labour as work that is mentally,

physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children below the age of 14. It

interferes with their schooling by depriving them of the opportunity to attend school, obliging

1 UNICEF

2 This is the only official Government figure which was a product of a ILO survey carried out by

Federal Bureau of Statistics in 1996. NGOs and other departments have since extrapolated and come

up with estimates. UNICEF has estimated the number of children working to be 3.6 million.

SEBCON’s estimated based on the Labour Force Survey which states that the working population of

age between 10-14 year is 2.18%. This age group amounts to 3.7 million children. The children under

10 can be assumed to be another 0.56 million which would make the total population of child labour

4.26 million. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan estimated the population of children labour

to be 12 million.

2

them to leave school prematurely. Whether a job is classified as child labour depends on the

child’s age, the type and hours of work performed, and the impact of the work on the child's

health, development and access to education. National law may allow for workers aged 12-

15 to do light work outside of school hours. ILO has further classified child labour into two

forms:3

1.2.1 Worst Forms

The worst forms of child labour are forbidden in all cases, regardless of national law. They

include work that is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children, or work that

exposes them to physical, sexual or psychological abuse. The latter can arise in workplaces

where children are frequently shouted at, insulted or hit.

1.2.2 Hazardous Forms

Workers should only be allowed to undertake hazardous work if they are at least 16 years of

age, their health, safety and morals are fully protected, and they are adequately trained to do

the work. Most industries involve some form of hazardous work, e.g. handling toxic

chemicals, carrying heavy loads, working at heights or in confined spaces, and using

dangerous equipment or tools. Waste paper scavenging is also included in this definition.

In many countries child labour is mainly an agricultural issue. At the world level, 60 percent

of all child laborers in the age group of 5–17 years work in agriculture, including farming,

fishing, aquaculture, forestry, and livestock. This amounts to over 129 million girls and boys

worldwide. The majority (67.5%) of child laborers are unpaid family members. In agriculture

this percentage is higher, and is combined with very early entry into work, sometimes

between 5 and 7 years of age. Agriculture is one of the three most dangerous sectors in

terms of work-related fatalities, non-fatal accidents and occupational diseases. About 59

percent (or 70 million) of all children in hazardous work aged 5–17 are in the agriculture

sector.

1.3 Conventions & Laws in Pakistan

Pakistan has ratified ILO’s Convention 138 on minimum age of employment and Convention

182 on worst forms of child labour. However, the existing Employment of Children Act 1991

is not in line with these Conventions. In February 2012, the labour departments of the

provincial Governments agreed to draft new laws which will be in line with the Conventions.

3 http://www.betterwork.org/EN/resources/Documents/Guidance%201%20-%20Child%20Labour.pdf

http://www.betterwork.org/EN/resources/Documents/Guidance%201%20-%20Child%20Labour.pdf

3

Key agreements were to ban employment under 14 years of age and ban employment in

hazardous occupations of those under the age of 18.4

1.4 Child Labour in Regional Context

Below is a comparison of regions in terms of incidence of Child Labour. The South Asian

region has the second highest incidence of child labour at 13 percent after Africa.

Fig: 1.1: Percentage of Children Working from the Age of 5 to 14 Years

Below is a cross-country comparison of the incidence of child labour in some selected

countries of South and East Asia. Child Labour in Pakistan is at 14 percent which is close to

the average for the region.

Fig: 1.2: Percentage of Children Working from the Age of 5 to 14 Years

4 http://www.ilo.org/islamabad/info/public/pr/WCMS_173194/lang--en/index.htm

http://www.ilo.org/islamabad/info/public/pr/WCMS_173194/lang--en/index.htm

4

Fig: 1.3: US$ PPP GDP/Capita

Apart from poverty being a common factor causing child labour, there is a strong nexus of

education with child labour in various countries in the South Asia and East Region. The

education level of parents and financial and physical access of schools are determining

factors of whether children work instead of attending school. Moreover, the opportunity cost

of children going to school in terms of the income they can earn if they work and not attend

school is also a deciding factor of child labour. 5

5 ILO & UNICEF Country Reports.

5

2 INTRODUCTION

Stora Enso is a multinational paper, packaging and wood product producing company with

head offices in Finland and Sweden. Stora Enso assigned SEBCON (Pvt.) Ltd. to carry out a

supply chain analysis of Packages Limited in Pakistan. The specific focus of the survey was

agreed to be on the incidence and risk of child labour. Based on the initial discussion on the

scope of work and areas to be focused, a set of questionnaires were developed for each of

the sub-areas, i.e. wheat straw collection and waste paper collection. As an outcome of the

field visits around Lahore and in Karachi the questionnaires were finalized and field

supervisors were given thorough training in Lahore and Karachi.

During this period meetings were held in different locations to ascertain the structure of the

chain followed for supplying wheat straw and waste paper to M/s Packages Ltd. for the

production of white and brown papers. In order to build better understanding of the chains

being followed, different stakeholders (e.g. scavengers and their parents, small and large

vendors, officials of M/s Packages Ltd.) were also consulted. Different case studies on child

labour and existing laws were also reviewed.

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3 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

In view of the discussions in the preceding section, the specific objectives of this study

include the following:

To understand the extent to which there is child labour or risk of child labour on the

lowest level of wheat straw and recycled paper supply chains of Packages Ltd.

Give recommendations for an action plan for management of child labour risk and

mitigation in the above-mentioned supply chains. Recommendations should be

based on the above study and information available from different sources. The

proposed actions should, as much as possible, be linked to other ongoing

development programs run by governmental or non-governmental organizations.

To capture information regarding children in terms of their socio-economic conditions,

health hazards, and the condition of their families and community.

To understand the reasons behind child labour in the two supply chains.

7

4 METHODOLOGY AND SAMPLE DESIGN

After understanding the possible sources of supply of wheat straw and waste papers to M/s

Packages Ltd., sample designs were prepared separately for wheat straw and waste paper.

Different regions were accordingly covered with appropriate sampling weights.

8

SEBCON developed data collection tools in order to capture quantitative and qualitative

information on the incidence of child labour in the supply chains of wheat straw and recycled

paper for Packages Limited. A questionnaire and checklists based field survey was

conducted using direct interviews, Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant

Interviews (KIIs), in investigating each stage of both the supply chains to verify the incidence

and prevalence of child labour in each stage.

In the case of wheat straw, the survey covered children working on farms, their parents,

village elders, purchase center managers, transporters and bailing managers.

The supply chain of waste paper recycling was studied by covering child scavengers, their

parents, small vendors, commercial entities and bulk suppliers.

The small vendors were of the lowest level receiving waste paper from scavengers. They

were industrial organizations having a permanent site and mostly contracted labour less than

10 people. The interviewed small vendors were covered from an area where the Bulk

Supplier indicated that he received his paper. It is not known whether interviewed small

vendors are known to be a part of the Packages supply chain.

9

Furthermore, several donor organizations which included the ILO and UNICEF, International

NGOs like Plan International, Save the Children and Action Aid, and Pakistani NGOs like

SPARC, Sungi, Bunyad and Sudhaar which focus on child labour issues, were interviewed.

Packages senior staff was also interviewed by the consultants.

Field data on each of the instruments mentioned above was collected during the period June

8–20, 2012. The table below includes the sample of the study:

Table 4.1: Sample of the Study

Survey Tool Number of Interviews

WASTE PAPER

KIIs - Bulk Suppliers 311

KIIs – Small Vendors 42

Q – Children Scavengers 132

Q – Parents 42

KII- Commercial Sector 21

FGDs - Children 5

WHEAT STRAW

KIIs - Wheat Straw Supplier 112*

KIIs- Purchase Centers 7

KIIs- Bailing managers 6

KIIs- Transporters 7

Q- Children working at farms 240

Q - Parents 70

FGDs – Children 5

FGDs – Village Community 5

KIIs= Key Informants Interview Q=Questionnaire FGDs=Focus Group Discussions 1 Two additional Bulk Suppliers were visited who have closed down their businesses

.* 2 Suppliers in the list were duplicates and 2 had closed down their business with Packages.

Source: SEBCON’S Survey of packages supply chain (2012)

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5 WASTE PAPER SUPPLY CHAIN

The issue of waste paper recovery is an extremely important activity being debated in

literature, governmental circles and international organizations given its economic and

environmental significance. It also touches upon public sector coverage and role of the

informal sector. It also calls for acceleration in the pace of development towards public-

private partnerships in this regard. The work of disposal and recycling of waste

is largely carried out by the public and private sectors respectively at the world level. The

work of the private sector has expanded over time due to a heavier emphasis on recycling.

Since both the sectors are performing their functions, though with different approaches,

these nevertheless tend to form a partnership role in managing wastes.

An increased consumption pattern caused by acceleration in the pace of urban expansion,

increase in real income per capita, and improved scientific methods have resulted in

changes in the lifestyle of masses. A corresponding expansion in capacity and capability of

the public sector in solid waste management could not be realized. In the obtaining situation,

the informal sector started participating in recycling of solid waste. Over time, the economic

significance of recycling increased multifold as a result of increased cost of imports,

environmental concerns and rising levels of poverty. As a general view, there are around 3

to 4 million people in Pakistan currently engaged in recycling of waste material of all kinds

including paper waste, plastics, glass, synthetic materials and crop residues. During field

surveys and discussions as well as own observations, it was observed that the collection of

waste (all types) from streets, garbage dumps, land fill sites and marketing centers is

predominantly carried out by children who appear to be of age 5-15 years. So the incidence

of child labour in the recycling of waste material has become clearly visible.

The process of garbage collection work in the country at present in the form of scavenging,

which is in the informal sector, is regarded as unprofessional (though financially viable) and

without any support from the public sector, and is hazardous. Nevertheless, the chain that is

followed in recycling carries a blend of formal and informal sectors. Street hawkers purchase

better quality waste paper from garbage from households and institutions and may not be

included in hazardous work. While scavengers collect poor quality paper which is free of

cost.

The chain in the recycling process of waste paper in Pakistan also follows a combined effort

of formally registered mills and bigger suppliers and informally operating groups of

individuals engaged in collection, sorting, bailing of waste paper, transportation and

manufacturing of white and brown (corrugated) paper materials. The identification of child

labour, wherever observed, in the whole process is the basic aim of this study based on

which specific policy interventions could be identified for mitigation of child labour issues.

Waste paper collection by scavenging is considered a hazardous activity for children under

ILO’s definition. Scavengers, who are often young children, come from uneducated families.

11

They have to deal with toxic chemicals, hospital waste, broken glass, and sharp items

capable of causing cuts. Sometimes they are often seen eating and drinking from collection

points. They are exposed to extreme heat and they carry out this work without any protective

gear or even shoes. It was confirmed by observations made during the study that scavenger

children’s parents living in poverty are forced to borrow from small vendors which results in

bondage.

12

One Child working in

bailing

13

5.1 Establishing Waste Paper Supply Chain and the Incidence of Child Labour

The foregoing Chart tends to explain the supply chain followed in supplying waste paper

to paper mills. Based on a number of sources supplying waste paper, various agents

including scavengers, street hawkers, small vendors, traders-cum-transporters and large

vendors, jointly portray a chain of trading and bailing activities that determine the supply

chain. However, the core part of the chain consists of waste paper collection from streets,

bins, households and institutions made by children and hawkers, routed through small

vendors, traders-cum-transporters, and bulk suppliers to Packages.

In the process of collection, Packages receives paper primarily from selected bulk

suppliers from urban centers of Pakistan. Packages’ has its bulk suppliers located in

urban centers of Pakistan who supply waste paper to Packages Paper Mill in Kasur. 31

principle bulk suppliers supplying the majority of waste paper to Packages were

interviewed in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta and Multan. Bailing is also carried out

at these centers and this is hazardous and strenuous work. In one center in Karachi, a

child was found working on the bailing machine of waste paper at the premises of the

Bulk Supplier. Furthermore, some bulk suppliers also reported inspection by Packages to

ensure no child is involved in any work on their premises.

Some waste paper is also received directly from institutions producing waste paper in a

large quantity. Moreover, it was learned in the survey that Packages has recently

established its first waste paper collection center in Karachi which also directly supplies to

Packages. This centre receives paper from 27 private dealers. Only adults are trusted to

carry out very fine sorting and grading which is carried out at the bulk suppliers’ premises

to ensure Packages’ requirements are met. The bulk suppliers receive paper from five

sources: small vendors, institutions, traders-cum-transporters, street hawkers, and

scavengers. The primary source of paper received by bulk suppliers is from small

vendors and institutions.

The bulk supplier is followed by a commission agent who is a transporter-cum-supplier.

The agent receives waste paper from small vendors and supplies directly to bulk

suppliers. The commission agent supplies waste paper to Packages’ bulk suppliers and

also supplies to other paper mills.

The small vendor is the fourth and pivotal component in this supply chain, who buys

waste paper from scavengers, institutions and street hawkers. Sorting and grading is

carried out at the premises of the small vendor where children were also reported to be

working for some of the small vendors in this activity.

Institutions (shops/banks/stores) producing larger amounts of waste paper are at the

bottom of the chain supplying waste paper and are supplying to four suppliers in the value

chain. Institutions supply indirectly to bulk suppliers through commission agents and also

supply directly to bulk suppliers. Moreover, they also supply to small vendors. Some also

14

supply directly to Packages Paper Mill. However, no children were reported to have been

working in these institutions.

The lowest part of the supply chain consists of scavengers and street hawkers. General

sorting of paper, metal and plastic is carried out by scavengers after collection. This is

followed up by sorting of various types of paper by small vendors. This sorting is also

often carried out by children as it does not require much skill. In the process of collection,

mostly children and some adults are involved in the collection of paper and other items

like metal and plastic. In addition, street hawkers also supply waste paper from the

bottom of the supply chain by purchasing paper from households and supplying it directly

to bulk suppliers.

Given the specific quality requirements of M/s Packages in accepting waste paper

supplies, it appears that the possibility that the paper collected by child scavengers

(which is mostly of the lowest quality) reaches M/s Packages, is reduced substantially.

5.2 Survey of Child Scavengers

The survey carried out, in the districts of Multan and Lahore of Punjab province and in the

three districts of metropolitan city of Karachi in Sindh province, has provided results which

are presented below and relate to the stage of collection of white and brown paper.

5.2.1 Current Residence and Origin

A total of 132 children of ages between 5 and 15 years were covered from the three

districts. With the exception of one girl, all the rest were boys (Table 5.1). The

information on the current district of residence with permanent district of residence of

these children reveals a pattern of migration by these children for their livelihood. It shows

that out of 72 children working in Punjab, over 65% came from within the province and

nearly 35% had permanent addresses outside the province. In contrast, out of a total of

60 children sampled from Karachi, 38 (i.e. 63%) had permanent addresses outside of

Karachi. The children migrated in from different districts of the country and Afghanistan.

This pattern seems consistent within the ethnic mix in Karachi. In Lahore city a pattern

similar to that of Karachi was found.

Out of a total of 36 children, 28 working children came to Lahore from outside, including

19 with an Afghan origin. On the whole, 50% of the children working in Lahore and

Karachi came from outside the city, while all the children found working in Multan were

locals.

15

Table 5.1: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) in Waste Paper Collection by Current and Permanent District

Current

Districts

Districts of Permanent Address

Sub-

Total

Mu

lta

n

Afg

ha

nis

tan

Lah

ore

Mia

nw

ali

Ka

rac

hi

Lak

i M

arw

at

Qu

ett

a

Ba

ha

wa

lpu

r

Up

pe

r D

ir

Pe

sh

aw

ar

Lark

an

a

Pis

hin

Pu

nja

b

Multan 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 36

Lahore 0 19 8 7 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 36

Karachi 0 3 0 0 22 0 22 2 1 5 2 1 2 60

Sub-Total # 36 22 8 7 23 1 22 2 1 5 2 1 2 132

Source: SEBCON’S Survey of Packages Supply Chain (2012)

5.2.2 Location and Age

Of the total 132 children, nearly two thirds were within the age range of 11 to 14 years.

The age distribution amongst the waste paper collectors is similar to those engaged in

wheat straw collection (as indicated in the preceding section). In the case of Karachi, the

pattern of age distribution of 60 children was spread out to other age brackets as well.

One reason for this stretched age distribution observed in Karachi could be a larger

proportion of migrated children and their abject poverty levels which compel them to work

even when at smaller ages.

Table 5.2: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) by Location & Age in Waste Paper Collection

Current Districts Age (Years)

Sub-Total Missing 7-8 9-10 11-12 13-14 15

Multan 0 1 5 11 19 0 36

Lahore 6 1 5 12 12 0 36

Karachi 7 2 8 12 21 10 60

Sub-Total # 13 4 18 35 52 10 132


5.2.3 Level of Literacy and Age

The children collecting paper waste had a very high proportion (82.6%) of those who

could not read or write, indicating that they had not had any formal or informal schooling.

Table 5.3: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) by Capacity to Read and Write and Age in Waste Paper Collection

Can Read &

Write

Age (Years) Sub-Total

Missing 7-8 9-10 11-12 13-14 15

Yes 0 0 6 3 12 2 23

No 13 4 12 32 40 8 109

Sub-Total # 13 4 18 35 52 10 132


16

The indication of a higher proportion of migrant children in waste paper collection at a

relatively younger age reflects a higher level of poverty and thus a dire need to work to

support and stabilize family consumption.

5.2.4 Orphanage and Living Patterns

Out of 132 children only 26 informed that they do not live with their family. Of these 26

children, 20 had parents who were alive. On the whole, 98 children (74%) were living with

their families and both of their parents were alive.

There is a possibility that the information given by children was unintentionally not

accurate as most children were not educated. The interviews were carried out in a very

open and comfortable environment for the children where they were able to express

themselves properly.

Table 5.4: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) in Orphanage and Living Away from Family in Waste Paper Collection

Orphanage Status Living with Parents

Sub-Total Yes No No response

Father not alive 4 3 0 7

Mother not alive 3 3 0 6

Both not alive 0 0 0 0

Otherwise 98 20 1 119

Sub-Total # 105 26 1 132


It further implies that the children who migrated to other cities move and live with their

families / parents.

5.2.5 Source and Weekly Level of Collection

Based on the responses of 125 children on the sources of collection of waste paper, a

total of 179 responses were received because of multiple sources being given by some of

the children. The major sources include landfill sites, garbage dumps, shops and streets,

which jointly constitute nearly 84% of all responses.

17

Table 5.5: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) by Level of Collection and Source of Waste Paper Collection (Multiple Response - 125 Respondents)

Source of Paper Collection

Quantity Collected per Week

(Kgs.)

Less

than 50

51 to

100

101 to

150

Over

150 Total

Landfill 19 5 6 16 46

Garbage Dump 10 1 1 20 32

Shop 11 0 0 5 16

Office 0 0 0 1 1

School 2 0 0 0 2

Street/Road 14 8 2 1 25

Landfill & Garbage Dump 4 0 0 0 4

Garbage Dump & Street/Road 17 12 1 1 31

Landfill & Garbage Dump & Shop 0 0 1 1 2

Landfill & Garbage Dump & Street/Shop 0 1 0 6 7

Landfill & Shop & Street/Shop 1 0 1 6 8

Landfill & Garbage Dump & Shop & Street/Road 2 1 0 2 5

Total 80 28 12 59 179


A total of 80 (i.e. 45%) responses were related to those who collected under 50Kg of

waste paper per week. Similarly, those collecting over 150Kg of waste were 59 (i.e. 33%).

The table further shows that those collecting under 50Kg per week largely converged to

landfill sites, garbage dumps and streets. Those collecting over 150Kg per week

converged only to landfill sites and garbage dumps, i.e. the larger sites, and did not

collect from streets. The survey data shows the presence of children of 5-15 years of age

in proportions reported in the tables.

Based on 180 responses (including multiple ones), 169 (nearly 94%) revealed small

vendors where the collected material is sold. Of the total responses, 55% were related to

white and brown papers only. The remaining 45% of the responses were predominantly

related to waste materials other than paper.

Table 5.6: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) by Type of Paper and Buyer in Waste Paper Collection (Multiple Response - 125 Respondents)

Buyer

Type of Collected Materials

Total Brown

Paper

White

Paper

Other

Material

Brown &

White

Brown &

White &

Other

Small Vendor 27 15 77 47 3 169

Other Vendors 6 4 1 0 0 11

Total 33 19 78 47 3 180


18

Fig 5.1:# Children (5 to 15 years of age) by Type of Paper and Buyer in Waste Paper Collection (Multiple Response - 125 Respondents)

It implies that the children engaged in waste paper collection also collect other materials

in the process of collection, and largely sell to small vendors (i.e. the next component in

the upward direction of the chain supplying waste paper to mills).

5.2.6 Work Characteristics

Table 5.7: Average Working hours

City Average Working Days /

Week

Average Working Hours /

Day

Multan 6 5.5

Lahore 7 9.0

Karachi 6 8.9

Total 6 7.7


On average, in Lahore children worked 7 days per week and 9 hours per day as

compared to Karachi and Multan, where children worked six days and 5.5 and 8.9 hours

respectively.

5.2.7 Health

i) Sickness and Related Expenditure

Table 5.7 shows the various lengths of sickness and the respective expenses incurred on

the treatment for the 20 children who reported sickness. The information obtained shows

most of the cases of sickness to be of duration of one to two months. The level of monthly

expenditure seems to be related to the type of sickness.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Brown Paper White Paper Other Material Brown & White Brown & White & Other

Small Vendor

Other

19

Table 5.7: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) by Length of Suffering by Level of Monthly Expenditure on Treatment in Waste Paper Collection

Length of Suffering

(# Months)

Monthly Expenditure on Treatment (Rs./Month)

Sub-

Total No

Treatment

Up to

100

100 to

200

200 to

500

More

than

500

Don’t

Know

Less than a Month 0 1 1 1 1 0 4

1-2 Months 1 3 1 1 3 0 9

3-6 Months 0 1 0 0 0 0 1

No Response 0 3 1 1 0 1 6

Sub-Total # 1 8 3 3 4 1 20


ii) Use of Protective Gears and Incidence of Sickness

A total of 128 children out of 132 (i.e. 97%) do not use any protective gear (e.g. mask,

gloves, cap, etc.) while collecting waste material, showing complete apathy from

vendors, the public sector organizations, NGOs and the civil society in protecting these

children from health hazards.

Table 5.8: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) by the Protective Gear by Health Status in Waste Paper Collection

Use of Protective Gear

Currently Suffering from

Sickness Sub-Total

Yes No

Yes 0 4 4

No 20 108 128

Sub-Total # 20 112 132


Of those who do not use protective gears, 20 children (i.e. 18.5%) revealed sickness.

The extent and magnitude of the sickness requires experts’ advices which may shed

more light over this neglected and perhaps less-focused consequence of child labour.

iii) Location and Income

Fig 5.2 shows variations in the level of earnings of the children across 3 locations.

Whereas most of the earners in Multan belong to a lower wage level, a vast majority of

those working in Karachi were receiving higher wages. In the case of Lahore, the higher

wage earners seem to be thinly distributed.

20

Fig 5.2: Number of Children (5 to 15 years of age) by Location by Weekly Income in Waste Paper Collection

Taking the mean value of each wage category and the mean value of working hours per

week per location, an estimation of weekly earnings per child and working hours per week

per child across these cities was made. It shows that, on average, each child in Multan

earns Rs. 541 per week and works 34 hours per week, in Lahore Rs. 903 per week and

works 63 hours per week, and in Karachi the figure jumps to Rs. 1,765 per week while

working 56 hours per week. This implies that children in Multan were receiving Rs. 15.91

per hour; in Lahore the figure was Rs. 14.33 per hour, and children in Karachi received

Rs. 31.52 per hour. This further implies that an average earner in Karachi earns twice as

compared to one in Lahore and Multan. This earning implies that scavengers in Karachi

collect a higher quantity of waste paper resulting in higher earnings compared to Lahore

and Multan. It further shows that whereas the children receive earnings in Karachi close

to the official wages declared by the government, in other cities the rules are not followed.

Children found in Multan worked the least which was also translated into earning the least

income per week.

5.3 Impressions from Focused Group Discussion with Children

These children were either never in school or had left schooling after Class One or

Two. This is a significant difference when compared to children engaged in wheat

straw collection.

The nature of work and occupancy seems a round-the-year work unlike

agriculture, where seasonality creates the difference.

The task is more hazardous and causes frequent cases of cuts, skin infection,

abdominal and shoulder pain. They do receive, however, some casual treatment

from local dispensaries/clinics.

Most of the children revealed that they work on their parents’ desire and the main

reason is poverty. Most of these children, largely from Punjab province, give their

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Multan Lahore KarachiUpto 500 501 to 1000 1001 to 1500 1501 to 2000 Over 2000

21

entire earnings to parents whereas in Karachi about 20% is retained by children

as pocket money.

The children, about 50%,, showed their desire to continue education in future. In

most of the cases the nearby school was at a distance of one kilometer. They also

indicated that their priority is to stabilize their household incomes, based on which

they may go for schooling.

Poverty appears to be a more binding constraint for these children, in relation to

those engaged in wheat straw collection, due to the fact that these children or

their family is less attached to cultivation practices which guarantee some social

protection.

The work is more hazardous and may cause to render some of these children

lifetime injuries or disability. This aspect needs exclusive attention.

The children still carry the desire to go to school which is quite encouraging and

needs attention of all stakeholders including consumers of waste papers, i.e.

producers of paper.

The focus group discussions carried out at various locations provide sufficient

evidences to suggest that child labour exists at a large scale in the collection of

waste paper.

It could well be the case that the supplies of waste paper accepted for recycling by

M/s Packages Ltd. may not have any significant mixing of collections from children

aged 5 to 15 years. This assertion can be verified by analyzing the entire chain of

activities in paper production of which children appear to be an integral part

Nevertheless, the mere existence of child labour itself calls for corrective

measures to be taken by the public as well as the private sector.

The resolution of the issues of health care and education of these children could

be the first set of actions taken by the stakeholders.

5.4 Views and Impressions of Parents on Child Work in Waste Paper Collection

The survey of parents was conducted in three cities of Multan, Lahore and Karachi to

obtain their views and impressions over their children involved in waste paper collection.

The information gathered refers to different aspects such as origin/migration, educational

status, occupational characteristics, perceived extent and impact of child labour, income

levels, health hazards, etc.

5.4.1 Migration

Table 5.9 shows a comparative picture of districts of current and permanent residences of

the parents interviewed. It shows that all the 12 respondents in Multan were from Multan

district. In the case of Lahore, 10 out of 12 respondents also had Lahore as their origin as

well. Only 2 respondents originally belonged to the districts of Bahawalpur and Mianwali,

which are relatively less developed districts of the Punjab province. However, in the case

22

of Karachi only 7 out of 18 respondents had local origin. The rest migrated in from the

districts of Bahawalpur (1), Peshawar (3), Pishin (1), and Quetta (6). The majority of

these parents who migrated to Karachi were from Pashto-speaking areas.

Table 5.9: Districts of Permanent Address

(# Respondents)

Districts

Districts of Permanent Address

Sub-Total M

ulta

n

Ba

ha

wa

lpur

Ka

rach

i

Lah

ore

Mia

nw

ali

Pe

sha

wa

r

Pis

hin

Qu

etta

Multan 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12

Lahore 0 1 0 10 1 0 0 0 12

Karachi 0 1 7 0 0 3 1 6 18

Sub-Total # 12 2 7 10 1 3 1 6 42


5.4.2 Comparative Structures of Educational Status of Parents and their Children

(Scavengers)

The comparison shows an extremely low level of educational qualification of parents and

children. A vast majority of 58 cases (84%) was reported where the parents and the

scavengers were both illiterate.

Table 5.9: Years of Schools of Head of Household

(# Respondents)

Year of Schooling of

Scavengers

Years of Schools of Head of Household

Sub-Total

Primary Matric Madrassa

Primary Illiterate

Class 1 0 0 0 1 1

Class 2 0 0 0 5 5

Madrassa Primary 0 0 2 1 3

Never Enrolled 1 1 0 58 60

Sub-Total # 1 1 2 65 69


In the case of two parents, their madrassa level qualification also matched with the

scavengers’ qualifications. The two cases with primary and matriculation qualifications

showed that the scavengers had no qualification. It reflects a critical situation where even

the parents’ education could not impact the scavengers’ educational status. It also

reflects abject poverty levels.

23

5.4.3 Employment Status of Family Members by Age

Based on the responses of parents on the type of employment undertaken by all family

members of the 42 households, it appears that 69 out of 257 (i.e. nearly 27%) were

scavengers aged 5 to 15 years. The remaining 42 scavengers were above the age of 15.

This way the proportion of scavengers appears to be 43% of the total 257 individuals

aged 5 years and above in the sample. It further means that scavengers are the sole

earners for these households since a total of only 20 individuals were employed or self-

employed. A total of 60 individuals were not working anywhere. Only 11 persons aged 5

to 20 were students.

Table 5.10: Employment

(# Family Members)

Age

Employment

Sub-

Total

Em

plo

ye

d (

Jo

b)

Se

lf

em

plo

ye

d

Ho

us

ew

if

e

Stu

de

nt

Sc

av

en

ge

r

Oth

er

No

t

wo

rkin

g

5 – 7 0 0 3 2 12 0 30 47

8 – 10 0 1 7 5 29 0 13 55

11 – 15 0 2 5 2 28 0 7 44

16 – 20 0 4 6 2 10 0 1 23

21 – 25 0 0 4 0 5 0 0 9

Above 25 5 8 27 0 27 3 9 79

Sub-Total # 5 15 52 11 111 3 60 257


The above information portrays a dismal picture of the households. Child labour is

abundantly clear and it appears that it will continue because of unemployment in the area.

5.4.4 Desire to Educate Children

Table 5.10a reflects the desire of 24 households (57%) to educate their children who also

agreed that child labour affects negatively on children’s education. This reflects a level of

awareness among the parents about the impact of child labour. However, given the fact

that child labour contributes significantly towards household incomes, it seems like there

is no incentive for parents to send their children to schools even if they desired so.

24

Table – 5.10a: Desire to Educate Children

In your opinion, does child labour negatively affects

child education?

Do you want your children to go to school? Sub-Total

Yes No

Yes 24 0 24

No 0 0 0

Not applicable 0 18 18

Sub-Total # 24 18 42


5.4.5 Proportion of Child’s Income in Household Income

Table 5.10 shows that children work for at least 5 days per month as child labour in

collecting waste paper. However, a majority, i.e. 20 out of 42, shows working for 16 to 25

days in a month.

Table 5.10: Days in a Month the Children Work? (# Days)

(# Respondents)

Proportion of Monthly

Income from Child

Labour

(# Days)

Sub-Total Up to 5 5-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30

Nil/Not specified 0 1 0 0 1 1 3

Up to 5 Percent 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

6 – 10 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

11 – 15 0 0 0 0 1 1 2

16 – 25 0 1 0 0 0 2 3

26 – 40 0 0 0 1 1 1 3

41 – 60 0 4 0 2 0 2 8

Above 60 0 7 1 1 12 1 22

Sub-Total # 0 13 1 5 15 8 42


It also shows that in 30 of the 42 cases, the children’s income as proportion of the total

household income was within a range of 41% and above. The cases of smaller

contributions from children, i.e. less than 15%, were negligible. This also strengthens the

earlier argument that the children’s contribution towards total household income is pivotal

and any attempt to discourage child labour would require mitigation measures to stabilize

household income levels.

5.4.6 Needed Incentives for Schooling

The 42 parents were asked to reveal their requirements that needed to be addressed for

them to be able to send their children to schools across various income earning levels of

households.

25

Table 5.11: Under What Circumstances Would You Like to Send Your Child to School? (Multiple Responses)

(# Responses)

Derive this After

Subtracting Share of

Child Labour Income

from 100

(Rs./Month)

# o

f R

esp

on

de

nts

Ea

sy

Acc

es

s

Fu

ncti

on

al

Lit

.

Aff

ord

ab

le C

os

t

Tec

h.

& V

oc.

Tra

inin

g

Fle

xib

le T

imin

g

Me

al In

ce

nti

ve

Fin

an

cia

l

As

sis

tan

ce

No

Nee

d

Go

vt.

Pro

vid

e u

s

Ho

me

(N

om

ad

)

Nil 1 - - - 1 - - 1 - 3

Up to 5,000 9 9 11 7 9 10 4 - - 14

5,000 – 10,000 3 6 6 1 2 5 4 - - 10

10,000 – 15,000 1 2 1 - - 2 2 - - 3

15,000 – 25,000 2 - 2 2 2 2 - 1 1 5

25,000 – 40,000 2 1 3 2 4 3 - - 1 5

40,000 – 60,000 - - - 1 1 - - - 1 2

Sub-Total # 18 18 23 13 19 22 10 2 3 42


A vast majority, i.e. 27 households (64%), who had a monthly total income of Rs.10,000

or less emphasized more on their preferences or needs. The extremely poor families with

a monthly income of Rs.5,000 or less (constituting over 40% of households) were more

vocal about provision of easy access to schools, functional literacy, affordable costs,

technical and vocational training, flexible timings, and provision of meals in schools.

It also appeared that with the increase in income levels, the parents’ desire to show their

preferences and to send children to school reduced significantly.

5.4.7 Child Labour as a Threat to Children’s Health

Table 5.12 shows that most of the parents interviewed in Lahore and Karachi (i.e. 70%)

agreed that child labour in waste paper collection poses potential threats to their

children’s health.

Table 5.12: Do You Think That Collection of Waste from Bin is a Potential Threat to Health of Child/Children?

(# Respondents)

District Yes No Total

Multan 1 11 12

Lahore 9 3 12

Karachi 12 6 18

Total 22 20 42


26

In case of Multan however, only 1 out of 12 parents affirmed this view. The levels of such

responses seem to be linked to the fact that parents who originally belonged to the area

and are socially mixed within the society do not regard child labour to pose any threat to

their health (reference Table 5.9).

5.4.8 Potential Threats to Health

Out of a total of 22 parents who regarded child labour as a potential threat to their

children’s health, 20 revealed the type of such threats. Table 5.13 shows that most of

them regarded fever as the most common ailment. Few regarded sunstroke, infections

and cuts also as possible threats. The level of awareness of parents in this regard is

valuable. However, income poverty seems to be the main bottleneck.

Table 5.13: Potential Health Threats to Children

(# Respondents)

Diseases/Ailment Multan Lahore Karachi Total

Sunstroke 0 2 0 2

Fever 1 6 3 10

Body pain 0 1 0 1

Throat infection 0 1 1 2

Infection 0 1 2 3

Cuts 0 0 3 3

Insect bit 0 0 1 1

Jaundice 0 0 1 1

Headache 0 0 1 1

Accidents 0 0 1 1

Eye infection 0 1 0 1

Not specified 0 0 1 1

Total 1 9 10 20


5.4.9 Average Level of Daily Earnings by Children

Table 5.14 reflects the levels of daily income earnings by children engaged in waste

paper collection across the three cities where the parent’s survey was conducted.

Table 5.14: Levels of Child Earning

(# Respondents)

District Levels of Child Earning (Rs./Day)

Total Zero Up to 100 101-150 151-200 200-300 Over 300

1. Multan 0 2 0 5 2 3 12

2. Lahore 0 9 1 0 2 0 12

3. Karachi 2 2 1 3 8 2 18

Total 2 13 2 8 12 5 42


27

A total of 13 out of 42 households revealed up to Rs.100 as the daily wage earning of

children, whereas 21 reported daily earnings ranging between Rs.151 to Rs.300. These

results are similar to those revealed by responses from children (see Fig 5.2), as children

in Karachi on average earned around Rs.32 an hour, which amounts to Rs.200 to Rs.300

a day. Earning levels per hour were almost half of that in Lahore and Multan, which

suggests that most children earned between Rs.100 to Rs.200 in Multan and Lahore.

5.4.10 Extent of Child Labour

Table 5.15 shows an average of 1.7 children per household on the whole who work as

child labour in waste paper collection. Across the cities, this average ranged from 1.4 in

Karachi to 1.9 in Lahore.

Table 5.15: Average Number of Scavenger Children in the Family (Age 5-15 Years)

(Numbers)

Districts Avg. # Scavengers per

Household

Range of # of Scavengers

per Household

Multan 1.8 1-4

Lahore 1.9 1-5

Karachi 1.4 1-3

Total 1.7


5.4.11 Average Family Size

The average family size of the surveyed 42 households was 7.7 persons, which is around

35% higher than the national average of 5.7 persons. The variability observed across

cities ranged between 6.7 in Karachi to 9.7 in Multan.

Table 5.16: Average Family size by Gender

(Numbers)

District Total

Multan 9.7

Lahore 7.3

Karachi 6.7

Total 7.7


28

5.4.12 Summary

The main outcomes of the parents’ survey on child work in waste paper collection show

that:

a) Income earnings from child labour constitute the bulk of household income.

b) The educational attainments of children are lower than their parents, suggesting

that child labour is considered as their immediate need as compared to

educational needs.

c) The health hazards to children in this occupation was largely recognized by

parents.

d) Options available to ensure child education were more emphasized by parents

from extremely low income groups. Higher incomes of households from child

labour seem to have diverted parents’ emphasis on child education.

These findings tend to verify and further strengthen the notion that child labour in waste

paper collection is not only significant but is also likely to sustain in the future unless the

issue is comprehensively addressed in the light of the identified mitigation measures.

5.5 Survey of Commercial Units

These commercial units constitute a fairly large group of various entities which supply

white and brown paper into the paper recycling chain.

The size and scale of operation of these units is a reflection of the business and trading

sector that creates paper waste. Packages have recently started receiving waste paper

directly from a growing number of banks, offices and educational institutes (see Annexure

8 and 9). These were not covered in this study. It is not known whether the commercial

units interviewed were a part of the Packages’ supply chain. The tabular presentation of

the data collected from managers of these commercial units is as under:

5.5.1 Type of Commercial Units

Table 5.17 portrays different types of commercial units supplying waste papers. Out of 21

units, 8 were shops and 4 were printing presses. The table displays 10 different types of

commercial units. (Appendix A is a list of interviewed commercial units.)

29

Table 5.17: Type of Commercial Entity

Type of Commercial Entity Frequency Percent

Banks 2 9.5

CPO Office 1 4.8

Financial Institutes 1 4.8

Govt. Collage Alamdar Hussain 1 4.8

Medical Store (Animal Medicine) 1 4.8

Printing Press 4 19.0

Shops 8 38.1

Super Market Canteen Store Department 1 4.8

Super Star 1 4.8

UBL (Corporate Branch) 1 4.8

Total 21 100.0


5.5.2 Locations

Table 5.18 shows the distribution of these units across cities. A total of 10 were from

Karachi, 6 from Lahore and 5 from Multan.

Table 5.18: Commercial Units by City

City Name Frequency Percent

Karachi 10 47.6

Lahore 6 28.6

Multan 5 23.8

Total 21 100.0


The distribution reflects a fair mix of units across cities given their scale of operation.

5.5.3 Age of Commercial Units

Of these 21 units, 6 were established during the last 10 years. Those established during

the last 15 to 20 years were 11 (accounting for more than half of the sampled units).

5.5.4 Disposal of Brown Paper

Out of 21 units, only 7 had indicated disposal of brown paper. These units had a rate of

daily disposal that ranged between 5Kg to 250Kg, reflecting the level of operation of

these units.

30

Table 5.19: Brown Waste Paper Disposal (Kg)/Day

Paper Disposed Off (Kg)/Day Frequency Percent

Do not sell 14 66.7

5 1 4.8

15 1 4.8

50 1 4.8

100 1 4.8

200 2 9.5

250 1 4.8

Total 7 33.3

Total 21 100.0


5.5.5 Disposal of White Paper

Out of 21 units, 12 were disposing off-white paper. The level of disposal ranged between

1 ton per day to 8 tons per day. It implies that these 12 units were disposing off a total of

60 tons of white paper per day.

Table 5.20: White Waste Paper Disposal (Kg)/Day

Paper Disposed Off (Kg)/Day Frequency Percent

Do not sell 9 42.9

1000 1 4.8

1200 1 4.8

2250 1 4.8

2800 1 4.8

4000 1 4.8

5000 1 4.8

6500 1 4.8

7000 1 4.8

7250 1 4.8

7500 1 4.8

8000 2 9.5

Total 21 100.0


5.5.6 Other Types of Waste Paper Disposal

A total of 11 units out of 21 reported disposal of other types of papers as well. Other type

of waste paper included what was commonly known as “mixed” waste paper. This

included non-corrugated brown paper, newsprint, magazines etc. The daily rate of

disposal ranged between 150Kg to 850Kg.

31

Table 5.21: Other Waste Paper Disposal (Kg)/Day

Other Disposed(Kg)/Day Frequency Percent

Do not sell 10 47.6

150 2 9.5

175 2 9.5

200 1 4.8

300 2 9.5

350 1 4.8

400 1 4.8

600 1 4.8

850 1 4.8

Total 21 100.0


5.5.7 Selling of Waste Paper

Although all 21 units surveyed reported disposal of waste paper, 13 reported selling of

these wastes.

Table 5.22: Do You Sell Waste Paper?

Response Frequency Percent

Yes 13 61.9

No 8 38.1

Total 21 100.0


It implies that the remaining 8 units throw away the waste in dumps directly or the

scavengers pick those wastes.

5.5.8 Sources to which Waste Paper is Sold

Tables 5.23 to 5.28 provide detailed information on the levels of sale and associated price

levels of waste paper sold by these commercial units to a number of professional groups

like bulk suppliers, vendors, scavenges and others.

Fig 5.3: Waste Paper Sold (Kg/Day)

32

Table 5.23: Waste Paper Sold to and Sale Price

Sold to Price per Kg. Frequency

Bulk Supplier 20 1

Vendors 12 1

13 1

15 1

16 1

22 1

23 1

24 1

Scavengers 10 1

12 1

Others 15 1

17 1

24 1

Total 13


The information contained in above table show that:

Only one unit sells to bulk suppliers at the price of Rs.20/Kg.

Of the units selling paper waste, the larger buyer appears to be small vendors

(66%). The volume of sale ranges between 15 to 1,200Kg per day. The range of

prices at which the waste was sold was between Rs.12 and 24 per kilogram.

Only 2 out of these 13 units sell paper waste to scavengers at a price of Rs.10 to

12 per kilogram. Which suggests that most of the units were not selling inferior

quality paper.

Only 3 units reported sale of waste paper to other vendors (petty vendors or

middlemen) at a price that ranged between Rs.8 and 24 per kilogram.

5.5.9 Scavengers Collecting Paper Waste

Only 4 units hand over paper waste to scavengers.

Table 5.27: Scavengers Collects Waste Paper (Kg/Day)

Quantity Frequency Percent

1 2 9.5

2 1 4.8

15 1 4.8

100 1 4.8

Total 5 23.8

Missing 16 76.2

Total 21 100.0


33

A total of six units reported that children were involved in waste paper collection.

Table 5.28: Are Children Involved in Waste Paper Collection?

Children Involved in Collection Frequency Percent

Yes 6 28.6

No 15 71.4

Total 21 100.0


The number of children collecting such wastes ranged between 2 to 4. The average

number of such children appears to be 3 per commercial unit.

5.6 Survey of Small Vendors

A total of 43 small vendors were surveyed in three cities including Karachi, Lahore

and Multan to build adequate understanding of the role and position of small vendors

in the chain of waste paper collection.

The small vendors play a key role in the chain by acting as a catalyst between the

group of suppliers, scavengers, other suppliers of paper (i.e. shops, offices, markets,

etc.) in smaller quantities, and the large vendors.

These vendors purchase all kinds of waste to which they consider carrying an

economic value and is within their scale of operation. The waste includes paper,

plastic, vinyl, metal, rubber, etc.

They often pay in advance (as short term loan) to their suppliers including scavengers

and/or their parents – reflecting factor-product interlocking or a soft version of labour

bondage. In order to engage labour, the practice of making advance payment (or

loans) is widely used in the informal and agricultural sector (including marine

fisheries) in Pakistan, India and a number of developing countries. This is often

regarded as "inter-locking of factor-product markets" and often used in forms

reflecting bonded labor.

In the wake of increased levels of urbanization, rapid population growth, real income

growth, the level of waste supplies is also increasing rapidly. This has in turn led to a

rapid increase in the scale of recycling of waste. With this increase in supply of

wastes and investments in waste recycling, a large number of competitors entered

into the business including small vendors who supply waste not only to large vendors

(directly or through a middleman) but also directly to a large number of mills and

factories established under this scenario.

These small vendors, in their efforts to sustain and progress in their trade, seem to

have followed a cordial relationship with their suppliers including scavengers.

34

During the initial visits, surveys and discussion, no incidence of misuse or abuse,

particularly with scavengers, was reported.

However, the environment in which these small vendors operate is unplanned, ad hoc

unprofessional (in receiving, sorting, grading and storage of waste material), and

totally informal in character.

In addition, the land areas they normally occupy is largely within a close proximity of

open drain nullas/channels and open to all kinds of health hazards to its users.

In the following section, the analysis of the information obtained through a survey of 43

small vendors is presented, highlighting responses to specific questions asked:

5.6.1 Sorting and Grading

Fig: 5.4 shows distribution of 43 small vendors covered during the survey across the

three cities. A total of 37 (i.e. 86%) reported that the sorting and grading activities of

waste materials including paper are carried out at their establishment..

Fig: 5.4: Sorting/Grading of Waste Paper on SV Premises

All 16 vendors covered from Karachi reported activities of sorting and grading. It,

however, must be noted that their initial sorting is in the context of separating paper from

other non-paper materials. The grading within the stock of white and brown papers

according to quality standards followed is carried out subsequently.

5.6.2 Children Participation in Sorting and Grading

Of the 38 small vendors out of a total of 43 who reported the activities of sorting and

grading, a total of 9 (i.e. nearly 24%) indicated children’s participation in sorting and

grading.

Fig: 5.5: Children Involved in Sorting/Grading

35

It implies that over three fourths of small vendors do not involve children in this activity on

the whole. The highest proportion of children involved in sorting and grading was reported

from Karachi, i.e. 44%. On the contrary, no involvement of children in this activity was

reported from Multan and only 14% was reported from Lahore.

5.6.3 Mode of Payment to Children

Of the 9 vendors reporting involvement of children in sorting and grading, 7 reported

payment to children on a daily basis ranging between an average of Rs.191 per child per

day in Karachi and Rs.140 in Lahore for the material they supply.

Table 5.30: Payment to Children

City Daily Weekly

Mean # Mean #

Karachi 191 5 1250 2

Lahore 140 2 0 0

Multan 0 0 0 0

Total 176 7 1250 2


The remaining 2 vendors from Karachi reported payments on a weekly basis of Rs.1,250

per week. It must be mentioned that the children are not paid separately for sorting and

grading. Rather, the wages paid are inclusive of this activity. Since a higher proportion of

children involved in sorting and grading were from Karachi, the respective wage rates

were also higher in Karachi.

5.6.4 Planning for Future Expansion

A vast majority of nearly 80% of these vendors indicated their desire to expand their

business in the future. This information is consistent with the assertion made in the earlier

section regarding the rapid increase in the volume of waste being produced in the

country, particularly in larger cities, and the fact that the informal sector has expanded its

operations in the recovery from wastes.

Table 5.31: Do You Foresee Your Business to Expand in the Next Year?

City Yes No Total

Karachi 13 3 16

Lahore 14 4 18

Multan 7 2 9

Total 34 9 43


36

5.6.5 Need for Financial Resources

A consistent and logical response from these vendors was received in the context of

future expansion of their enterprise. Nearly 84% showed their interest in borrowing from

financial institutions in this regard.

Table 5.32: Is Financial Requirement an Important Factor in Your Scheme to Expand Your Business?

City Yes No Total

Karachi 13 3 16

Lahore 17 1 18

Multan 6 3 9

Total 36 7 43


5.6.6 Training Requirements

A total of 17 vendors (i.e. nearly 40%) showed a need for training in book-keeping,

sorting/grading of papers, and bailing activities. A higher proportion was observed from

Lahore as compared to Karachi.

Table 5.33: Training Requirement

City Book Keeping/

Accounting

Sorting/

Grading of

Paper

Bailing No Need # of

Respondents

Karachi 3 4 0 12 16

Lahore 4 4 1 9 18

Multan 0 0 1 8 9

Total 7 8 2 29 43


It should be noted that a drastic decline (i.e. from 36 to 17) took placed when the need for

specific requirements was inquired as compared to the situation where discussion on the

need for financial resources took place and 36 showed their interest. An apparent reason

could be the informal transaction these vendors have been making and any

documentation of their business activity is seen with suspicion and fear of taxation.

However, it is encouraging that the remaining 50% want to adhere to formal and

professional methods in running their businesses.

5.6.7 Willingness to Join “Packages” Chain

The vendors were also asked whether they would be willing to be a part of the chain

“Packages” follows in obtaining the required level and quality of papers. A total of 27

37

(nearly 63% of the total 43) showed their interest. The city-wise proportion of those willing

reflected 72% from Lahore, 69% from Karachi and only 33% from Multan.

Table 5.34: Would you be Interested in Joining "Packages" Waste Paper Supply Chain?

City Yes No Total

Karachi 11 5 16

Lahore 13 5 18

Multan 3 6 9

Total 27 16 43


A number of reasons could be assigned to the variability across cities in this regard. One

could be that the present scale of operation is too limited to fulfill the requirement of

“Packages”. Another could be that the specific requirement for quality asked by

“Packages” and the associated penalties are viewed as incompatible for them. Further

reasons could include their current pattern where they focus more on materials other than

paper or that they want to keep current diversification of their business instead of

exclusively dealing in paper with “Packages”.

5.6.8 Children in the Supply of Paper

Somewhat mixed responses were obtained from small vendors over the involvement of

children in paper supply. In Karachi, 75% of the vendors reported children working,

whereas in Multan the figure was 100% but only 6% from Lahore.

Table 5.35: Do Individuals Supplying Waste Paper Include any Children?

City Yes No Total

Karachi 12 4 16

Lahore 1 17 18

Multan 9 0 9

Total 22 21 43


5.6.9 Number of Children Involved in Paper Supply

The average number of children supplying paper per vendor was 9 in Karachi, 2 in

Lahore and 10 in Multan.

38

Table 5.36: How Many Children Supply You Waste Paper? (Sub-Set of table 5.35 Yes)

City Mean Minimum Maximum

Karachi 9 4 16

Lahore 2 2 2

Multan 10 2 25

Total 9 2 25


On the whole, 9 children supply paper to each vendor.

5.6.10 Proportion of Waste Paper Supplied by Children

On the whole 54% of the paper supplies reaching vendors come from children. Across

cities, the proportion for Karachi was 74%, Lahore 5% and Multan 37%.

Table 5.37: Proportion of Waste Paper Supplied by Children

City %

Mean Minimum Maximum

Karachi 74 35 100

Lahore 5 5 5

Multan 37 5 70

Total 54 5 100


As expected from the earlier responses and the size of the city, Karachi shows a range of

35 to 100% for the proportion of paper supplied by children. It shows the extent of child

labour in this mega city.

5.6.11 Quality Based Sorting and Grading

Table 5.38 provides information on the quality and type-wise sorting and grading of

collected papers.

Table 5.38: Does Sorting/Grading Involve?

City

Quality Type

High

Quality Contaminated None

Old

Corrugated

Cartons

White

Office

Paper

None

Karachi 1 14 1 16 9 0

Lahore 6 13 5 14 12 3

Multan 5 6 2 7 6 2

Total 12 33 8 37 27 5


39

It shows that 12 out of 43 small vendors sort out papers of high quality whereas 33 focus

on contaminated papers and 8 do not go for quality checks. It implies that 35 vendors go

for quality-wise sorting and 33 of them had focused on contaminated papers which is

normally not acceptable to “Packages”. Only 12 vendors look for high quality papers

whereas some focus on both (i.e. a case of multiple options).

In case of type of papers, all the 16 vendors contacted in Karachi during survey were in

the supply of corrugated brown paper, whereas in Lahore 14 out of 18 and in Multan 7 out

of 9 were sorting by type. Here as well, some of the vendors may be involved in both

types.

Another dimension of the issue is that these vendors are a sub-set of a large number of

small vendors who supply papers to bulk suppliers. Furthermore, the information obtained

through this survey does not reflect the volume by type or quality; it only refers to the

numbers of such vendors. The volumetric information was sought through the survey of

large vendors and would be discussed in subsequent section of this report.

5.6.12 Difference in Wages between Adults and Children

Only 5 out of 43 vendors informed that wage differentials prevail at their levels and as

such adults are paid higher wages. Such differentials, independent of their magnitude, will

create additional pressure of workload on children in achieving “wage rate equivalency”,

particularly given the fact these children work to supplement family income and not just

for themselves. In this context, any wage differentials would be exploitative.

Table 5.39: Is there a Difference in the Rates Paid to Adults and those Paid to Children?

City Yes No Don't Know Total

Karachi 3 9 4 16

Lahore 2 1 15 18

Multan 0 9 0 9

Total 5 19 19 43


However, majority of these small vendors do not follow any wage differentials or were not

even familiar with such a practice.

5.6.13 Health Risk to Children in Sorting and Grading

A total of 18 small vendors responded on the questions related to health hazards facing

working children. Of these, 6 vendors (including 5 from Karachi) responded in the

affirmative. Those responding with ‘no’ (i.e. two-thirds) were equally divided between

Karachi and the rest of the two other cities.

40

Table 5.40: Do you Consider there is any Health Risk for the Children Involved in

Sorting/Grading/Other Work Done at Your Premises

City Yes No Don't Know Total

Karachi 5 6 0 11

Lahore 1 2 0 3

Multan 0 4 3 7

Total 6 12 3 21


5.6.14 State of Emergency Medical Aid at Small Vendors

Only 9 vendors out of 43 confirmed having first aid facilities at their site. If viewed

qualitatively, such facilities are extremely rudimentary in nature and not necessarily

clinically safe.

Table 5.41: Do You Have a First Aid Facility in Case of a Minor Accident?

City Yes No No Response Total

Karachi 4 11 1 16

Lahore 1 17 0 18

Multan 4 3 2 9

Total 9 31 3 43


The overall response in this case reflects an extremely poor condition though not

disappointing. Being ignorant and part of a non-documented segment of the economy

that has remained outside the circumference of any regulatory mechanism, it is bound to

create such a situation. In the obtaining scenario, it is not surprising to note symptoms of

discrimination, exploitation, deprivation from basic rights, and illegal bondage perpetuated

towards children that leaves them to work under harsh conditions.

5.7 Survey of Bulk Suppliers

A total of 31 bulk vendors supply paper to local industries as part of process to attain

recovery from waste paper. These suppliers only deal in paper ( one or both types

i.e. white and brown corrugated).

The bulk suppliers receive supplies from a variety of sources.

The quality checks are applied as per requirements of paper mills including

“Packages”.

Different paper mills have different sets of requirements for the type of products they

manufacture. These mills, particularly “Packages” receive well defined supplies.

The bulk suppliers take great caution in sorting and grading of papers in order that the

minimum requirements set by different mills are fulfilled and the level of wastes (i.e.

41

unsold) is reduced to its minimum. The result of this is that they have only adults carry

out grading as children are not equipped to do this kind of work.

One bulk supplier in Karachi on A-26, Akbar Road, Sher Shah where Mr. Umair

Ahmed was interviewed, had a child working on the bailing machine at his premises.

The work of bailing of papers is also carried out at the premises of these bulk

suppliers in order to facilitate transport of materials at minimum cost.

5.7.1 Sources of Waste Paper supplies to Mills

Of the total supplies, the quantity of 508 tons per month is supplied to “Packages”, and

886 tons per month to other industries.

Table 5.42: Paper Suppliers by Destination (Mills)

Quantity Tons/Month

Average Min Max

Packages/Kasur Board Mill 508 6 3,000

Other Factories 886 0 8,000


These large vendors also exhibit greater variability in their scale of operation reflected by

the range of 6 tons/month to 3,000 tons per month whereas in case of other paper

industries the monthly supplies remain as high as 8,000 tons per month. A very high

variation was imported by each group of suppliers, ranging from 6 tons to 3000 tons per

month to Packages, and up to 8000 tons per month to other suppliers.

5.7.2 Prospects for Future Expansion

A total of 28 large vendors out of a total of 31 foresee expansion in their business. It

highlights the potentials reposed in the current level of waste which remains to be

recovered and /or the supply of wastes is expected to rise in future.

Table 5.43: Prospects for Future Expansion

Yes 28

No 3

Total 31


5.7.3 Need for Financial Resources

A somewhat consistent response, though at a reduced level, was observed when these

vendors were asked to reveal their willingness to acquire financial resources for future

expansion. A total of 23 out of 31 gave responses in affirmative.

42

Table 5.44: Need for Financial Resources

Yes 23

No 8

Total 31


5.7.4 Needed Training Requirements

A total of 9 out of 20 vendors did not reveal any such requirement. The rest indicated

training in book keeping, accountancy, sorting and grading techniques, etc.

Table 5.45: Training Requirements of Large Vendors

Book keeping/accounting 8

Sorting/grading of paper 6

Bailing 1

Computer 1

Business development 3

Product information 1

None 11


The responses of large vendors towards need for expansion in business, financial

resources and training is strikingly similar to the responses of small vendors. The

apparent reason is that both small and large vendors are not registered officially and

operate as part of the informal economy. The fear of documentation and taxation keeps

that response to a lower level.

5.7.5 Sources of supply to large vendors

The vendors were asked to reveal sources of supply of waste paper to them. The

responses show that, on average, small vendors supply 50 percent of the total and thus

appear to be the single largest source in this regard.

Table 5.46: Sources of Incoming Supplies

Sources Quantity %

Individuals(Hawkers/Scavengers) 12

Commercial Entities 26

Small Vendors 50

Other 12


The commercial entities like banks, post offices, government institutions, medical stores,

markets, etc. account for another 26 percent, followed by individual hawkers/scavengers

who supply another 12 percent. These individuals do not include children who largely

converge to small vendors. Other sources included factories like Nestle and Engro.

43

6 WHEAT STRAW SUPPLY CHAIN

Wheat straw is an important component in the production of paper. The province of

Punjab is the largest producer of wheat in Pakistan. Wheat straw (which is produced in

quantities equivalent to wheat output) supply levels have remained abundant. The straw

required at the level of paper mills is of a residual nature picked from the field when the

crop has been harvested.

Since wheat is the staple diet of the people in Pakistan, its harvesting is considered a

cultural event. It has to be done quickly to save it from the rain which can damage the

crop and the precious by-product, which is wheat straw used as fodder. In harvesting

season, entire households work on the land to ensure work is done on time. In addition to

family workers and tenants, additional labour is hired which consists of landless workers

in harvesting and storage of wheat and its straw. The labour force thus engages the

entire family including children in this festivity which is also a source of additional income

and/or wheat paid in kind against their labor.

The perception in villagers is that children are helping their family members or those

being hired are being helped by farmers as they come from poor families in need of grain.

Wheat harvesting for children is not considered as hazardous work under ILO’s definition.

However, it has numerous dangers for children because it is carried out in the hot months

of April and May when temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius. This heat causes

headaches, fever, heatstroke and other illnesses. These children often suffer from eye

allergies as they are exposed to dust from chaff chopping. Moreover, they suffer from

cuts and bruises from cutting of crops and insect bites.

44

Chart – 2

45

6.1 Establishing Wheat Straw Supply Chain and the Incidence of Child Labour

In the initial stage, children and adults are frequently involved in wheat harvesting and

straw collecting of farms of all categories. Children usually play the role of harvesting and

separating the grain from the chaff. They also help the adults by fetching water and other

supplies.

The next step in the chain is supplying wheat straw to the purchase centre. This is carried

out by farmers as they act as suppliers and send supplies of wheat directly to the

purchase centers of M/s Packages.

Then there is the purchase agent cum transporter who collects wheat straw from multiple

farmers and then supplies it to the purchase centers. These purchase agents are adults

and act as middlemen between the purchase centres and farmers.

M/s Packages has 7 purchase centers located in 5 districts of Punjab. The mandate of

these purchase centers is to buy wheat straw from farmers and store it for eventual

transportation to the Bulleh Shah Paper Mill in Kasur District. The purchase centers cater

to the surrounding villages where wheat production is prevalent. In the storage of wheat

straw at the purchase centers, children’s involvement has been stopped in the use of

different processes for plastering the heap of straw. Plastering work is outsourced to

contractors and children can help their parents in this process which is not considered

work. Only 1 out 7 purchase centers had children participating in such activities, i.e.

Jaranwala.

Bailing of wheat straw was carried out in some of the purchase centers or outsourced to

private bailing centers. No child was found working in the private bailing centers. The

wheat straw is then transported from the bailing and purchase centers directly to the

paper mill in Kasur. There was no child working in the transportation of the wheat straw.

It shows that whereas children are directly involved in wheat straw harvesting and

collection, they were not reported working in the processes of storage, transportation and

bailing (except one center at Jaranwala).

6.2 Survey of Children Working in Wheat Harvesting

It is not uncommon to observe children aged 5 to 15 also participating in this field activity

along with their parents. The child labour thus observed has a higher proportion of boys

because they receive protection by working with family members.

The field survey of children engaged in wheat harvesting and straw collection was

conducted at seven centers in Punjab from where wheat straw follows a chain in reaching

M/s Packages Ltd.

46

In view of the child labour participation in the entire chain, collection of wheat straw from

the field is considered a major activity. The result of this survey is presented below

detailing specific aspects to reveal the use of child labour in wheat harvesting and

collection of wheat straw from the field.

6.2.1 Location and Gender

The information on 240 children across villages around purchase centers reveals an high

proportion of boys (5 to 15 years of age), i.e. 65.4 % Since these children work with their

family members in fields which are in their close neighbourhood, their current and

permanent addresses are the same. This implies that this activity is largely a local event.

No child of age 5 or 6 was reported as child labour.

Table 6.1: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) in Wheat Straw Collection Centre

Purchase Centre Girls Boys Total

Pakpattan 14 34 48

Jaranwala 5 13 18

Tandianwala 13 17 30

Depalpur 5 12 17

Hujra 18 13 31

Faizabad 14 34 48

Jhang 15 33 48

Sub-Total # 84 156 240

35% 65% 100%


6.2.2 Location and Age

A comparative picture of location and child age shows that 82% of these 240 children

were within the ages of 11 and 14 years. Across different villages around purchase

centers, the children within this age limit have accounted for 75% to 96%. It further

implies that children below age 10 are generally not involved in child labour, particularly

the girls. A progressively higher proportion of children of higher a higher were involved as

child labour.

47

Table 6.2: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) by Location & Age in Wheat Straw Collection

Purchase Centre Age (Years)

Sub-Total 5-6 7-8 9-10 11-12 13-14 15

Pakpattan 0 0 1 13 34 0 48

Jaranwala 0 0 1 4 13 0 18

Tandianwala 0 1 2 10 13 4 30

Depalpur 0 0 0 3 9 5 17

Hujra 0 0 4 5 19 3 31

Faizabad 0 2 12 9 25 0 48

Jhang 0 1 6 11 28 2 48

Sub-Total # 0 4 26 55 141 14 240

0% 1.7% 10.8% 22.9% 58.8% 5.8% 100%


6.2.3 Education, Level of Literacy and Age

Fig: 6.1: Education Level

Each child was asked about his level of education. 49% of them responded as to

attending primary school, whereas 28 percent of them were never enrolled in school.

Each child was inquired about his capability to read and write. A total of 129 children

accounting for 53.9% responded in the affirmative. The children of age 11 to 14 had a

strikingly similar proportion of those who could read and write and those who could not

55%

11%

0%

35%

46%

26%

3%

24%

Prim ary M iddle S econdary N ev er enrolled

G ir ls B oys

48

In comparison to boys, girls were mostly not studying further than primary education. As

only 11% completed middle and none had attended secondary school. 35% of girls were

never enrolled in comparison to 24% of boys.

Table 6.3: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) Attending School in Wheat Straw Collection

Gender Currently

enroll

Age (Years) Sub-total

7-8 9-10 11-12 13-14 15

Girls Yes 0 7 5 14 0 26

No 0 2 8 42 6 58

Boys Yes 2 13 23 33 5 76

No 2 4 19 52 3 80

Overall Yes 2 20 28 47 5 102

No 2 6 27 94 9 138


Table 6.4: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) by Capacity to Read and Write and Age in Wheat Straw Collection

Can Read &

Write

Age (Years) Sub-Total

5-6 7-8 9-10 11-12 13-14 15

Yes 0 2 16 28 71 12 129

No 0 2 10 27 70 2 111

Sub-Total # 0 4 26 55 141 14 240


6.2.4 Orphanage and Living Pattern

All the 240 children interviewed were reported to be living with parents (whether both or

single parents). Since the households in rural Pakistan particularly follow a joint family

system, the orphans also live as part of a bigger family system.

Table 6.5: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) in Orphanage and Living Away from Family in Wheat Straw Collection

Orphanage Status Living with Parents

Sub-Total Yes No

Father not alive 7 0 7

Mother not alive 3 0 3

Both not alive 0 0 0

Otherwise 230 0 230

Sub-Total # 240 0 240


49

6.2.5 Work Characteristics

The wheat harvesting and straw collection seems to be spread over 30 calendar days per

year. Based on the opportunity of work, different children work for different periods during

the 30 days season. However, the average number of days of these 240 children was 15

days. It seems to be a fairly balanced distribution of children across different segments of

days except for those who work throughout the period.

Table 6.6: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) by Level of Earning per Day and # Days Work Annually in Wheat Straw Collection

# Days

Worked per

Year

Less

than

Rs.100

per day

Rs.100

per day

Rs.100

to

Rs.150

per day

Rs.151 to

Rs.200

per day

Above

Rs.200

per day

In kinds Total

1-5 days 0 3 12 0 6 1 22

6-10 days 3 4 7 1 39 10 64

11-15 days 4 4 3 0 24 20 55

16-20 days 6 5 4 4 17 21 57

21-25 days 0 6 1 0 1 19 27

26-30 days 5 0 1 1 2 6 15

Total 18 22 28 6 89 77 240

7.5% 9.2% 11.7% 2.5% 37.1% 32.1% 100%


Over 32 percent of these children reported receiving their wages in kind. Of those who

receive wages in cash received wages at different levels ranging between less than

Rs.100 per day and above Rs.200/day. The varying wage levels may be a function of

children’s age and/or capacity to read and write.

Fig 6.2: Reasons Identified by Children for Working

4.6%

84.2%

5.0% 2.9% .8% 2.9% 3.3% .4%0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Parents disability

Poverty Forced by parents

Meet education

expense

Meet transport

expense

Interested in work

To buy new

cloths

Don't know

50

As expected, poverty has been the most common factor as a reason for children to work

in the wheat straw supply chain.

6.2.6 Health

The reported information reveals a higher degree of correlation between the use of

protective gears (e.g. gloves, masks, or shoes) while at work and the non-occurrence of

sickness among these children.

Table 6.8: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) by the Protective Gear by Health Status in Wheat Straw Collection

Use of Protective Gear Currently Suffering from Sickness

Sub-Total Yes No

Yes 12 200 212

No 0 28 28

Sub-Total # 12 228 240

5% 95% 100%


Collection of wheat straw is less hazardous in relation to other tasks performed by

children in other occupations; it is not surprising to observe a very low proportion (3.6%)

were currently suffering from sickness.

6.2.7 Length and Type of Sickness and Associated Monthly Expenditure

Those 12 children who reported sickness during fieldwork reported Hepatitis B, fever and

headaches as the main types of sickness and an average expense of Rs.30 per month.

The incidence of Hepatitis B however, may not be directly attributable to wheat straw

collection. At this point it appears that the children engaged in wheat straw collection are

not facing any significant health hazards. However, it must be reiterated that increased

safety measures need to be ensured.

Table 6.9: # Children (5 to 15 years of age) by Length of Suffering by Level of Monthly Expenditure on Treatment in Wheat Straw Collection

Disease Length of Suffering

(Months)

Monthly Expenditure on

the Treatment

(Rs.)

Hepatitis B 13 0

Fever 0.5 40

Headache and Fever 0.5 60

Heat Stroke 1 50

Fever 1 5


51

Table 6.10: Types of Illness

Types of illness %

Backache 6.7%

Headache 39.2%

Pain in neck 2.9%

Abdominal problem 14.2%

Injury 50.8%

Eye allergy 38.3%

Fever 37.9%

Other 5.5%

Total 100%


The types of illnesses commonly found in children because of working in wheat

harvesting and straw collecting were headaches (39.2%)), injuries (50.8%) eye allergies

(38.3%) and fever (37.9%)Injuries included cuts from tools used in harvesting. The main

cause of fever and headaches was the exposure to heat and sun. Moreover, eye allergies

were because of the exposure to dust and particles in the field for a long duration of time.

6.3 Impressions from Focused Group Discussions with Children

Tasks mostly performed by children include harvesting, collection, and supplying

drinking water to labourers.

The health risks undertaken include injuries/cuts, fever and heat strokes in

harvesting, and insect/snake bites, headaches are also common in collection.

At least a one-time sickness was reported by a larger proportion of children.

In certain cases, the affected children did not receive any treatment from nearby

dispensaries or clinics.

All the children indicated their parents’ desire for them to work.

The associated reasons for this desire included poverty, need for grain, as well as

skills learning.

Nearly half of the children reported giving their earnings to parents while the rest

indicated that they kept them for themselves.

The children who were studying as well reported that they wanted to continue their

education to middle level at least and masters level at the most, with the exception of

one case where the father wanted the child to work only.

52

All children who were not studying indicated that they do not want to get any

education, except for one case only where the father was forcing the child to work.

All reported that the decision to go to school rested with their parents.

In all cases, the nearest government school was at a distance of one to four

kilometers.

Children aged 5 to 15 regularly worked at farms to carry out the task of wheat

harvesting and collection. Reasons included poverty (i.e. need to earn cash or grain

in exchange of labour), and skills learning. This clearly shows that child labour is

visible, and skills learning, i.e. learning by doing, is regarded as insurance against

unforeseen events that may take place in the future. It implies that even if education

is provided, the prospects for employment in the future are not relied upon by the

parents.

The decision to practice child labour rests with the parents even if the child keeps all

his earnings to himself. In either case, the income effect of child labour is imminent.

It also implies that child work at farms may also be related to other cropping and/or

livestock related work. Poverty as a cause thus may not be related to wheat crop

only.

The working environment in which these children remain engaged also seems

dangerous and hazardous against which no preventive or curative safeguards are

available.

On one hand it is encouraging that those children who go to school alongside their

work also want to continue their schooling. At the same time, it is disheartening to

note that those who do not go to school seem to have little desire to go to school. It

implies that the culture of schooling, regardless of its quality, creates and maintains

an impetus for the continuation of education. Without this culture (or environment)

the children seem to carry a sense of deprivation that leaves no option for them but

to continue working as the sole source of livelihood.

53

6.4 Survey of Parents

A total of 70 farms were covered from 7 regions in Punjab province. Of the 70

respondents, 63 were males and 7 were females.

Table 6.11: Parents Sample

Male Female Total

Pakpattan 14 0 14

Jaranwala 3 2 5

Tandianwala 5 4 9

Depalpur 8 0 8

Hujra 5 1 6

Faizabad 14 0 14

Jhang 14 0 14

Total 63 7 70


Only in 3 regions, females were interviewed whereas in the remaining 4 regions all the

respondents were males. The gender balance seems compatible with the pattern of

landownership and overall role of women at farms in the regions. The females

interviewed were all married except on widow.

6.4.1 Educational Levels of Respondents

Of the 70 farmers interviewed, 49 (i.e. 70 percent had no schooling. Only 5 had

education beyond primary level (i.e. grade 5).

Table 6.12: Education of Respondent (Parent)

Centre Primary Middle Secondary Illiterate Total

Pakpattan 6 2 1 5 14

Jaranwala 1 0 1 3 5

Tandianwala 3 0 0 6 9

Depalpur 3 0 0 5 8

Hujra 1 0 0 5 6

Faizabad 1 0 0 13 14

Jhang 1 1 0 12 14

Total 16 3 2 49 70


The proportion of illiterates is close to the national average of rural areas in Pakistan.

6.4.2 Employment Status

A vast majority of employed persons among these 70 individuals show that those in

service were 14 (20 percent) and those self employed (in agriculture) were 51 (nearly 73

54

percent). It implies that nearly 93 percent of the respondents had major occupations.

Those unemployed were only 2 (i.e. nearly 3 percent). Another 2 were self-employed

(outside agriculture).

Table 6.13: Employment Status of Respondent

Centre Employed

(Job)

Self

Employed

Un-

employed

Business

(Shop,

etc.)

Not

Working

due to

Disability

Total

Pakpattan 0 14 0 0 0 14

Jaranwala 3 0 1 1 0 5

Tandianwala 6 1 1 1 0 9

Depalpur 1 7 0 0 0 8

Hujra 0 6 0 0 0 6

Faizabad 0 13 0 0 1 14

Jhang 4 10 0 0 0 14

Total 14 51 2 2 1 70


The level of employment seems quite high because these individuals were landowners.

Some farmers or their family members seek employment and business in addition to

farming.

6.4.3 Desire to Send Children to School

A vast majority i.e. 60 farmers indicated their desire for their children to go to school. A

total of 4 responded negatively and 6 did not respond.

Table 6.14: Do You Want Your Children to Go to School

Centre Yes No No

Response Total

Pakpattan 12 2 0 14

Jaranwala 5 0 0 5

Tandianwala 9 0 0 9

Depalpur 8 0 0 8

Hujra 6 0 0 6

Faizabad 14 0 0 14

Jhang 6 2 6 14

Total 60 4 6 70


It clearly shows parents desire for their children to go to schools independent of their farm

size and their own level of literacy.

55

6.4.4 Child Labour - A Constraint to Children Education

Of the 60 who showed their interest towards education of their children, 59 (98 percent)

agreed that child labour tends to reduce the possibility of continuing their education.

Table 6.14a –Do You Think Working as Child Labour Reduces the Possibilities for Education of Your Children? (Sub-Set of Table 6)

Centre Yes No Total

Pakpattan 12 0 12

Jaranwala 5 0 5

Tandianwala 9 0 9

Depalpur 8 0 8

Hujra 6 0 6

Faizabad 14 0 14

Jhang 5 1 6

Total 59 1 60


6.4.5 Child Labour - A Threat for Children

A total of 48 farmers (nearly 69 percent) agreed that child labour poses threat towards the

health of their children.

Table 6.15: Do You Think that Wheat Straw Collection is a Potential Threat to Health of Child/Children?

Yes No Total

Pakpattan 14 0 14

Jaranwala 5 0 5

Tandianwala 9 0 9

Depalpur 8 0 8

Hujra 6 0 6

Faizabad 0 14 14

Jhang 6 8 14

Total 48 22 70


6.4.6 Child’s Earning Levels

Table 6.16 highlights the level of earnings of the children who work in wheat straw

collection. A majority of these farmers i.e. 45 (nearly 64 percent) were making an earning

of rupees 100 to 150 per day. The levels of earnings was reported as high as over

rupees 200 per day.

56

Table 6.16: Average Earning Per Child Per Day

Centre

Earning Levels in Rs.

Total Less Than

100 100- 150 151 - 200 Over 200

Don't

Know

Pakpattan 0 14 0 0 0 14

Jaranwala 0 2 2 1 0 5

Tandianwala 4 4 1 0 0 9

Depalpur 0 5 3 0 0 8

Hujra 0 4 0 2 0 6

Faizabad 0 9 3 2 0 14

Jhang 5 7 0 0 2 14

Total 9 45 9 5 2 70


6.4.7 Child as a Family Need

Table 6.17 reports that 49 out of 70 respondents regarded child labour as a need of the

family.

Table 6.17: Do You Consider Child Labour A Needed Source of Income For The Family?

Centre Yes No Total

Pakpattan 14 0 14

Jaranwala 2 3 5

Tandianwala 1 8 9

Depalpur 8 0 8

Hujra 6 0 6

Faizabad 14 0 14

Jhang 4 10 14

Total 49 21 70


6.4.8 Duration of Child Labour Work During Wheat Harvesting

The typical number of days during which children remain involved in wheat straw

collection ranges between 1 and 30 days. On average a child remains on work for 17

days in the harvesting season.

57

Table 6.18: For How Many Days in the Month of Harvesting the Child Works?

Centre Mean Minimum Maximum

Pakpattan 21 10 25

Jaranwala 10 1 15

Tandianwala 18 10 28

Depalpur 18 14 25

Hujra 17 12 25

Faizabad 20 10 27

Jhang 13 2 30

Total 17 1 30


6.4.9 Financial Contribution towards Household Income

Table 6.19 details on the level of children’s contribution towards household income

through collection of wheat straw.

Table 6.19: Child Income Contribution in Family Income

Centre Child Income Levels in (%)

Total Up to 10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 Over 50 No Response

Pakpattan 3 11 0 0 0 0 0 14

Jaranwala 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 5

Tandianwala 8 0 0 0 0 0 1 9

Depalpur 0 6 2 0 0 0 0 8

Hujra 0 1 2 0 1 1 1 6

Faizabad 0 0 6 6 0 2 0 14

Jhang 9 3 0 0 0 0 2 14

Total 24 21 10 6 1 3 5 70


It shows that a majority (55 out of 70) tend to contribute up to 30 percent towards their

household level of income. This proportion though increases to 50 percent but drops in

terms of responses received.

58

6.4.10 Accessibility and Affordability of Child Education

Tables 6.20a and 6.20b provide information on accessibility to and affordability of children

education.

Table 6.20a: Is School Accessible in Terms of Costs

Centre Yes No Total

Pakpattan 14 0 14

Jaranwala 4 1 5

Tandianwala 9 0 9

Depalpur 5 3 8

Hujra 6 0 6

Faizabad 11 3 14

Jhang 13 1 14

Total 62 8 70


A vast majority i.e. 62 (over 88 percent) indicated that schooling facility was affordable for

them.

Similarly 51 respondents informed that the schooling facility is available in the vicinity.

Table 6.20b: School Accessible in Terms of Physical Location

Centre Yes No Total

Pakpattan 13 1 14

Jaranwala 0 5 5

Tandianwala 0 9 9

Depalpur 4 4 8

Hujra 6 0 6

Faizabad 14 0 14

Jhang 14 0 14


On the whole it appears that despite landownership and accessible and affordable

schooling facility, the incidence of child labour can be regarded as an outcome of poverty

in the area.

59

6.5 Survey of Wheat Straw Suppliers

A total of 112 wheat straw suppliers as per Packages list were interviewed. The suppliers

are broadly categorized as farmer supplier and trader supplier. The farmer suppliers are

further classified as i) farmers who supply only their self produce and ii) farmers who

collect wheat straw from other farmers in the area and supply to purchase center along

with their self produce. The trader supplier have no self produce and they buy the wheat

straw from farmers and supply to the purchase centers (see figure below). . In effective

terms, 76 suppliers (68 percent) were farmer suppliers 36 were trader supplier.

Purchase Centre

Farmer Supplier Trader Suppliers

Own produce Own produce + Purchase from farmers

purchase from other farmers

6.5.1 Child Work

Of the 112 individuals interviewed, 67 (i.e. 60 percent) indicated children involvement in

farm level activities. A total of 55 (i.e. 82 percent) of farmers -suppliers also indicated

children work at the farm. Only one third of those, who were only engaged in supplying

wheat straw, reported children work at the farm. This implies that the incidence of child

work at farm level is significantly high.

Table 6.21. Number of Farms/Suppliers Reporting Children Working

Farmer Supplier 55

Trader Supplier 12

Total 67


6.5.2 Incidence of Children Work at Farm:

The details obtained during the interviews of suppliers, over the nature of child work at

farm, revealed that children are involved in sowing, production, harvesting and loading

activities at farm level. However, in effective terms, children work during harvesting and

loading activities.

Table 6.22. Type of activities in which children are involved - multiple response

Crop sowing Crop growing Harvesting

Loading and

unloading

Farmer Supplier 4 5 53 2

Trader Supplier 0 0 0 12

Total 4 5 53 14


60

However, the child work at farms was predominantly reported by farmer suppliers (72

percent). It also reports that children (mostly family members) work at farm with elders

particularly at the stage of harvesting and loading of wheat straw that is ultimately

supplied to mills.

6.5.3 Type of Work and Number of Children at Work:

Table 6.23 shows average number of children working across these four activities at

farm. It also reiterates the fact that children largely work at the time of harvesting and

loading. On average, the number of children in these activities is two to three times the

incidence of child labour in other farm activities of sowing and cultivation of crops.

Table 6.23. Average number of children in various activities - (subset of Table 6.22 of yes cases)

Sowing Growing Harvesting Loading

Min Max. Avg. Min Max Avg. Min Max. Avg. Min Max Avg.

Farmer

Supplier

1 2 1.5 1 2 1.4 1 14 4.2 2 3 2.5

Trader

Supplier

1 3 2.0 1 6 2.2

Total 1 2 1.5 1 2 1.4 1 14 4.1 1 6 2.3


61

6.6 Survey of Purchase Centre Managers

A total of 7 purchase centers of wheat straw were surveyed in five cities of Punjab

province. These purchase centers purchased wheat straw from traders and at times from

farmers. These seven purchase centers of wheat straw were established during the last 6

to 24 years. Some exclusively purchase from traders.

Table 6.24: Sources and Quantity of Sale and Purchase of Wheat Straw by Different Purchase Centres

Respondent Place

(District)

Period of

Establishment

(# Years)

Wheat Straw

Purchased from

Wheat Straw Supplied

to

Packages Traders Farmers

# % # %

Qty

. in

To

ns

%

1. Muhammad

Ilays Faisalabad 7 25 100 0 20000 100

2. Sabaat

Hassan Faisalabad 6 30 100 20000 100

3. Umer Din* Pakpattan - - - - - - -

4. Muhammad

Bashir Okara N.R. 17 80 5 20 2810 100

5. Muhammad

Aslam* Okara - - - - - - -

6. Abdul

Hameed Jhang 20 1 40 14 60 1200 100

7. Nasir

Mehmood

Nankana

Sahib 17 17 100 2545 100

N.R. = No Response

* did not purchase wheat straw this year


The places of sale of wheat straw include M/s Packages, bailing centres, and other

market intermediaries. Five out of seven centres purchased wheat straw in the year 2012.

They reported an annual supply of 23,200 tons of wheat straw to M/s Packages, 13,000

tons to bailing centres, and 2,000 tons to other factories.

62

6.7 Survey of Bailing Centre Managers

A total of 5 bailing operator managers were interviewed from districts of Okara,

Faisalabad and Jhang. A number of questions related to the operator scales of operation,

sources of sale and purchase, and involvement of children in bailing activities were

asked.

Table 6.25: Sources and Quantity of Wheat Straw Annual Sale and Purchase by Bailing Operators

Respondent Place

(District)

Period of

Establishment

(# Years)

Wheat straw

Purchased from

Wheat Straw Supplied to

Different Places after

Bailing

Traders Purchase

Centres Packages

Other

Factories

# %

Qty

. in

To

ns

%

Qty

. in

To

ns

%

Qty

. in

To

ns

%

1. Zahoor

Shah Okara 15 15 100 - - - - 500 100

2. Boota

Dighar Okara 12 25 100 - - - - 516 100

3.

Muhamm

ad Bashir

Okara 25 22 100 - - 512 100 - -

4. Chaudhry

Latif Faisalabad 12 - - 1 0 9,000 100 - -

5.

Muhamm

ad Yaseen

Jhang 17 10 100 - - - - 40,000 100


On the pattern followed by purchase centres, these bailing operators also purchase

wheat straw from 72 traders. Only one reported purchases made from purchase

centres.

These Interviewed baling operators were established during a period of 10 to 12 years

and carry out their principal work of bailing the straw and selling it to factories.

Interviewed baling operators sell around 9,512 tons of bailed wheat straw to M/s

Packages, and over 41,000 tons to other factories.

None of these bailing operators reported any involvement of children in their centers.

63

6.8 Survey of Transporters

A total of 7 transporters were interviewed in different areas including Faisalabad,

Pakpattan, Vehari, Multan, Nankana Sahib and Jhang districts.

In response to a number of questions about children working in wheat straw

transportation, their responses are presented below:

The type of transport used included tractors by 4 respondents, and trucks by 3

respondents.

Six transporters denied any involvement of children in loading/unloading, vehicle

cleaning or any work related to wheat straw transportation.

Only one sole proprietor transporter Mr. Safdar Ali from Nankana Sahib District,

reported that 2 children of ages 13 and 14 worked with him. These children were

not receiving education and were paid rupees 400 per day. The working hours for

these children were 4.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and they were not provided any other

benefits. According to the Purchase Center In charge of Nankana Sahib,

Packages contracts different transporters depending on their rate. Mr. Safdar Ali is

one of the small transporters and his name was not on the main transporters list

which Packages provided to SEBCON. Mr. Safdar Ali reported that the risk of

falling from a ladder or being crushed by the vehicle is always present. In the

event of any accident, the total treatment cost is borne by the transporter.

6.9 Impressions from Focused Group Discussions with Village Elders

Average Number of children involved in agriculture 72

Payment to children for work 15 kg - 120 kg (wheat) per season

Average distance(Km) to BHU 6 Km

Electricity 100%

Average distance(Km) to Post Office 9 Km

Average distance(Km) to Bank 9 Km

Boys Primary School 100%

Girls Primary School 60%

Average # of Households in Village 634

Principal Demand of Village Health & Education

Village Characteristics


The information gathered from elders of 5 villages in the context of children working at

farms in collecting wheat straw tends to verify the prevalence of child labour given the

fact that this work is assigned to them against their will.

64

The 35 participants, with a vast majority of farmers (over 90%) and those without any

education (20%), unanimously reported that the process of collection involves children

whereas in wheat cultivation the extent of child work is rather low.

The children work on their family farms as well as on other farms where they are paid

(largely in kind).

It was also revealed that the extent of landlessness within a village ranged between

8% and 65%. Out of a total of 3,170 households in these 5 villages, nearly 60% (i.e.

1,870) did not own land. These landless households may partly be involved in

cultivation as tenants and in non-agricultural activities. Their stated qualification

indicates low income earning capacity. Given this scenario, one would expect

increased levels of poverty. Thus in the obtaining situation, the culture of child labour

is not surprising.

The reported incidences of health hazards to and various diseases amongst working

children as revealed by the participants tend to verify such indications given by

children in FGDs.

Given the seasonality of wheat straw collection work which lasts for 30 to 45 days in a

year, the prospects for children’s education disrupted by their work at farms have not

diminished.

The level of social and physical infrastructure development in these villages (when

FGDs were conducted) was though low and needed to be improved further, it did

reveal availability of facilities like schools (largely for boys) within a 1 to 4 kilometer

radius, and BHUs (Basic Health Units) within a 6 to 8 kilometer radius. These

facilities need to be improved in terms of accessibility, provision of medical facilities,

and removal of gender biases in schooling facilities.

The outcome of the FGDs with community members shows that poverty is prevalent

in these villages in terms of higher levels of landlessness, low literacy rates, lack of

schooling facilities for girls, and low levels of infrastructure of social services.

The child work at farms against their will amounts to child labour even though it

provides a real income effect to the families as a whole.

The health-related problems of children are clearly evident and efforts are needed to

mitigate the situation if prosperity is to be achieved in future.

65

7 NGOS AND DONOR INTERVIEWS

SEBCON conducted interviews with key staff of major donor organizations and NGOs

working to mitigate Child Labour in Pakistan. The focus of the interviews were on their

organization’s scope of work, geographical coverage, mitigation strategies adopted and

suggestions to curtail child labour in supply chains.

The multilateral organizations have a primary role of national monitoring of Child Labour

against international standards, rules and laws. They are also the main donors in

mitigation of child focused issues. They work closely with the government in meeting their

strategic objectives by providing technical and financial assistance.

International NGOs (INGOs) have a wide global network of financial and human

resources in implementing their projects. Their funding is from their host countries and

implements their projects through their local offices.

Local NGOs raise funding from donor organization/INGOs and act as local implementing

partners. They are well entrenched in communities with a wide network of local staff.

They have strong capacity in social mobilization and local advocacy.

7.1 Multilaterals

7.1.1 International Labour Organization (ILO)

SEBCON’s consultants met with Mr. Saif Choudhary of ILO. ILO’s capacity and mandate

in Pakistan is to build the capacity of state institutions to perform better in mitigating

labour concerns including child labour. This includes policy development, ratification of

international convention, monitoring of compliance of conventions and conversion of

conventions to laws. They work with mostly provincial and Federal Governments by

providing technical Furthermore they provide financial support to partner organizations for

implementation of their programmes.

ILO’s view is that education is the single most important mitigation tool of Child Labour.

Non-formal education is used to mainstream children below the age of 15 and TVET is

used to mainstream children above 15. Self-regulation of Child Labour through regular

social audits in the export industry in Pakistan is a useful model to observe if looking

mitigation methods in supply chains.

7.1.2 UNICEF

Mr. Manan and Ms Samaranda Pocha in UNICEF were interviewed by SEBCON’s team.

UNICEF’s view is that Child Labour must be dealt with holistically which is why they use

an integrated approach by interventions in health, education, income generation for

parents, link to micro-credit, water & sanitation.

66

UNICEF has become the lead UN agency to advocate child rights and achieve results for

children in health, primary education, protection, water & sanitation and prevention from

HIV and AIDS.

UNICEF works in partnership with the Government of Pakistan and development partners

including other UN agencies and a host of international and national non-governmental

organizations (NGOs).They are currently working in 8 districts of Sindh, Balochistan and

Punjab province on Child Protection. They have also carried out work on Child Advocacy

with the provincial government of SIndh and have had the “Sindh Children Protection Act”

passed.

7.2 INGOs

7.2.1 Save the Children

Mr. Amir Habib from Save the Children was interviewed by SEBCON’s consultants. Save

the Children has been working in numerous sectors related to Child Protection which

includes education, TVET, functional literacy, healthcare, and advocacy. They have a

history of operating all across Pakistan.

Save the Children is carrying out a project to mitigate child labour in the cotton supply

chain in collaboration with IKEA. The two districts that they are focusing on are

Muzzafargarh and in Punjab and Sanghar in Sindh. They have also worked in 4 districts

of Sindh to mitigate child labour in agriculture and carpet weaving with non-formal

education and linking programme with government initiatives like BISP.

7.2.2 Plan International

Ms Fara Naz from Plan International was interviewed by SEBCON’s team. Plan was

Founded 75 years ago and it is now one of the oldest and largest children's development

organizations in the world. They work in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and

the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty. In 2011,

Plan reached 56,500,000 children in 58,053 communities. In 2011 Plan International’s

income stood at 591 million Euros. 60% of Plan’s income comes from child sponsorship

donations. Plan-Pakistan does not work on Child Labour specifically. However they work

in 43 districts of Pakistan on child education, rights, health and livelihood for youth.

7.2.3 Action-Aid Pakistan

Mr. Qaiser Khan was interviewed from Action-Aid Pakistan. Over the past 40 years,

Action Aid has been working to increase access to quality primary education globally.

Their approach has evolved from delivering education services to adopting a rights based

approach. Beyond a mere focus on access to education, Action Aid believes in improving

the quality of education while amplifying children and young people's voices.

http://plan-international.org/about-plan/about-plan/plan-75-years

67

Their three focus areas are:

Promoting rights in schools by supporting active mobilization enabling citizens to hold

the State accountable for providing quality education in a concrete and sustainable

manner

Securing adequate resources for education by equipping citizens with the tools to

demand and monitor a just, equitable and effective allocation of resources

Empowering women and girls through literacy using our Reflect approach to social

change

Action-Aid has worked extensively in 8 districts of Punjab and Sindh on providing health

and education facilities to children working in Brick kilns. Their other activities include

advocacy on female literacy.

7.3 Local NGOs

7.3.1 SPARC

SPARC is Pakistan’s leading child rights organization. It works on a broad range of child

rights issues, addressing the overall system and policy framework, with added focus on

specific thematic areas of special importance to children. SPARC’s work is guided by

international human rights principles and standards which are integrated at policy and

program level. The main guiding documents include the UNCRC (United Nations

Convention on the Rights of the Child) and relevant ILO Conventions.

SEBCON’s team interviewed Ms Zareen Jillani from SPARC. SPARC has worked

extensively in Punjab and KPK. Their main activities include advocacy to improve

regulation of child labour by state institutions. They provide training to government

officials like labour inspectors. They are also working to provide Non-formal education to

street children in urban areas. SPARC is implementing a child-based project in Nowshera

KPK currently.

7.3.2 Sungi Development Foundation

Dr. Manzoor was interviewed from Sungi. Sungi is a leading advocacy-based NGO which

has been working in Pakistan for over 20 years on various development issues. They

have worked on multiple development issues ranging from health, education, livelihood,

natural resources management, disaster management etc. Sungi has strong roots in local

communities and is very effective in social mobilization and awareness.

They are currently working in four districts of Punjab. In district Rajanpur, Sungi is

implementing a livelihood and infrastructure project for NORAD. Similarly in Gujrat, Sungi

is implementing a Gender and Justice project for NORAD. In Muzafargarh Sungii is

http://www.reflect-action.org/

68

working on a livelihood project for GIZ. While in Lodhran Sungi is implementing a skill

development project for DFID. Sungi’s interventions in rural communities are

multifaceted, taking into multiple local issues into account holistically. Although, they are

not specifically a child focused NGO, the beneficiaries of their interventions are also

children, indirectly or directly.

7.3.3 Bunyad

Bunyad is a local child-based local NGO formed in 1994. SEBCON’s team interviewed

Ms. Shaheen Rehman from Bunyad. Bunyad has worked in numerous key sectors to

mitigate child issues in Pakistan which include Non formal Education, Child Labour,

Female Functional Literacy, School Improvement Program, Formal Education Bunyad

School System, Private Public Partnership, Female Adult Functional Literacy, Women

Empowerment & Poverty Alleviation, Women's Health, Micro Credit & Skill Training,

Research Program, Water & Sanitation, Disaster Management. Training of Teachers,

Material Development. Institute of Community Education and etc..

Bunyad has done a lot of work in Non-formal Education in rural communities. Some of its

recent project in Non-formal education is in Hafizabad, Multan, Khushab and Rahim Yar

Khan. Another of Bunyad’s recent projects includes “Promoting Child Rights in Cotton

Farming Area in Rahim Yar Khan”. This project is in collaboration with UNICEF and Plan

International.

7.3.4 Sudhaar

Sudhaar is a child focused NGO working in numerous districts of Pakistan. Mr. Naeem

Butt was interviewed by SEBCON. Sudhaar is working in the field of Community-school

infrastructure development, teacher and school staff training, capacity building of literacy

and non-formal education services. Sudhaar has worked with the Punjab Government in

building capacity of Non-formal education centers in 34 districts of Punjab.

69

8 OVERALL FINDINGS

Following this study, it can be ascertained that there is minimal risk of child labour in the

Packages’ waste paper supply chain. This is primarily due to the strict quality

requirements of Packages Ltd. which are not met by the waste paper collected by

scavengers. There is thus no steady stream of waste paper collected by scavengers

being delivered to Packages Ltd. However, child labour cannot be ruled out completely

as small vendors form a major component of this chain, who receive paper mainly from

scavengers, institutions and street hawkers. Thus there may be odd cases where

scavengers sell good quality paper to small vendors which enter the Packages waste

paper supply chain, but this is unlikely normally.

As mentioned earlier in the report (Section 5), the children/scavengers also collect items

other than waste paper and sell to small vendors where they are also involved in the

sorting of different items. However, direct contact of children with bulk suppliers has not

been established by the survey data.

The education of children involved in scavenging is seriously compromised as it is a

year-round activity. Moreover, the cash income received from the activity at an early age

makes education less attractive.

By comparison, child labour is prevalent in the wheat straw supply chain. Children are

mostly involved in the wheat harvesting season. The wheat crop, being the staple diet of

masses in Pakistan, is grown over 40% of the total cropped area annually. As a common

crop, it is grown on farms of all sizes. The subsistence and small farm owners do not hire

labour. Rather, they use their family members (including children) in wheat harvesting

and wheat straw collection. The large farms (in Punjab) either hire labour or have share-

croppers (landless tenants) in farming practices. The work of wheat harvesting and straw

collection at large farms is carried out by the family members of the hired labour and/or

sharecroppers’ families which employ children as well. However, this is only for two

months annually and may not hinder their education, though there were many cases in

the survey where children did skip school to take part in this activity. There were also

cases where children did not attend school at all. The case of the child attending school

is mostly linked to the education level and economic compulsion of their parents.

8.1 Plausible Causes of Child Labour in Pakistan

“Rapid urbanization in Pakistan, caused by lack of investment in rural areas, has

tended to increase the extent of child labour in urban areas as well”.

“Even non-poor households in rural and less developed areas prefer to send school

going children for work to learn and develop skills as a safeguard against fear of

future unemployment”.

“A rapid increase in child labour is in part a reflection of perceived low returns to

education”.

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“Increased informality of economic activities over time which largely remain

undocumented is used as a shield to conceal exploitation of various types including

that of child labour”.

“A general lack of investment coupled with a changing demographic profile

characterized by an increase in the share of under-18 year olds in total population is

also responsible in quantifying the increased levels of child labour”.

8.2 Social Obligations Towards Child Labour in Waste Disposal in Pakistan

“Since the economic significance of waste recovery has been widely accepted as a

better option to waste disposal, the likelihood of child labour will increase further

because a larger part of the process or chain used in recovery remains in the informal

sector and is thus unrecorded. The need for mitigation measures is becoming

increasingly important”.

“By picking up waste from streets and channeling it through a process of recovery that

helps the society in reducing environmental cost, and increased prospects through

import substitution, is a great national service in which the child labour plays a key

role against which the society offers virtually nothing in terms of health care and

schooling for these children”.

“The formal sector is located at the upper tier of the process of recovery from waste

and enjoys significant levels of returns at the end, and it must exhibit its social and

moral obligations to support those who are located at the lower tier and suffer

physically and economically”.

8.3 Inferences Made from Surveyed Data

The share of scavengers (including adults) in the total supply of waste papers to large

vendors through small vendors was 58%. The major contributors were children under

15 years of age.

As part of the agricultural labour force, children play an important role, particularly

during wheat harvesting, in collecting straw.

In the case of waste paper, income earnings from child labour constitute the bulk of

household income. The educational attainments of children are lower than their

parents, suggesting that child labour is considered as their immediate need as

compared to educational needs. The health hazards to children in this occupation

were largely recognized by parents. Options available to ensure child education were

more emphasized by parents from extremely low income groups. Higher incomes of

households from child labour seem to have diverted parents’ emphasis on child

education

In the case of wheat straw, the findings show that a majority (55 out of 70) tend to

contribute up to 30 percent towards their household level of income. This proportion

though increases to 50 percent but drops in terms of responses received.

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In case of both, i.e. waste paper and wheat straw, the collection from children reaches

to a number of industries including Packages Ltd.. As such the extent to which these

materials used by Packages in producing paper products that could be related to child

labour reduces.

The evidences observed and the information collected from different stakeholders

provides undeniable facts that suggest extremely harsh conditions under which the

children carry out collection work. The health hazards thus faced culminate in the form

of severe diseases and ailments for which no safeguards are provided by any of the

other actors, i.e. small and large vendors in the informal sector and paper mills in the

formal sector.

The process of chains through which wheat straw and waste paper finally reach paper

mills is quite complex and diversified and caters to the need of a large number of final

users with variable quality standards which makes it extremely difficult to quantify the

level of collection made by children that reaches Packages Ltd. However, it remains

an undeniable fact that the supplies reaching Packages carry some share of child

labour. With this in view, Packages is expected to participate with other firms of the

paper industry as well as other associated industries in an effort to mitigate the

sufferings of child labour in waste collection as part of their moral and social

obligations (even if it is not required to do so legally).

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9 RECOMMENDATIONS

9.1 Introduction

There are various reasons for children working in the waste paper and wheat straw

supply chains. The most fundamental reason is poverty as indicated in the survey results.

Some other reasons identified are the lack of access to schools and the lack of motivation

and awareness. Furthermore, in the case of wheat straw an acute shortage of labour in

harvesting season is a primary factor for children working. In the background of these

reasons an effective social action programme can be developed.

9.2 Urban vs Rural Approach

The need of families on child labour reflects both stabilization in their consumption

pattern (basically food) at present, and their fear towards uncertainty of future earning

opportunities. With both these factors in view, an approach towards identification of

their basic needs, appropriate changes in school syllabus geared towards vocational

training in (for example motor cycle repair, furniture manufacturing, tailoring skills,

simple accounting capabilities, etc.) could result in reducing poverty levels. Urban

areas where waste paper is collected already has numerous private and public

Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) centers. While interviewing ILO’s

representative in Pakistan, it was learned that non-formal education is a key driver for

mainstreaming children below 15, while Technical and Vocational training for those

above 15.

In case of child labour in wheat straw, a number of NGO’s, poverty alleviation and

rural support programmes are actively making efforts towards the uplift of rural

societies. The vocational training programmes suited to rural environment need to be

initiated with such organizations in providing a congenial support. UNICEF is using an integrated approach by multiple interventions in health, education, income generation

for parents, link to micro-credit, water & sanitation. They are working in 8 districts in

Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab provinces on child protection while Plan Pakistan is

working in 43 districts of Pakistan on child education, health, rights and livelihood for

youth.

9.3 Health Provisions

In the current scenario, making it obligatory across all stages of the chain and for their

operators to follow a standard package to be provided to working children as

safeguard against various diseases and accidents on a hygienic and medical basis

would be an important step. Those at the upper tier of the chains need to fulfill their

moral and social obligations even if they are not required to do so legally

ILO officials also informed the research team that some export industries in Pakistan

have been successful in improving labour standards through self-regulation and

regular social audits.

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9.4 Awareness

One of the major findings of this study is that the level of awareness over child work

and its long term impact is low at purchase centers, bailing units and transportation

network. M/s Stora Enso could play a significant role through initiating an awareness

campaign at these levels in the supply chain in order that its current levels of child

labour related to paper mills in Pakistan is reduced. Such a role should also ensure a

monitoring system whereby the socio-economic profiles of each stakeholder within the

chain is correctly recorded and understood.

Effective awareness strategies should be developed for components of Packages

supply chain like purchase centers and interfacing stakeholders of the supply chain

like bailing centers, small vendors, transporters and farmers.

The incidence of child labour in a number of trades in Pakistan, of which the paper

industry appears to be an integral part, is a significant indicator of poverty, social

injustice and inefficient system of primary education and health cover. In case of

waste recovery systems where the children, in particular, play an important role by

undertaking part of the responsibilities of the public sector and thereby exposing

themselves to health hazards as well as loss of their learning opportunities, the

societal response to rescue these children has remained low and slow. As a

consequence, the dependence of the systems in which these children operate has

been increasing at the cost of ignoring, suppressing and neglecting their basic rights,

particularly those related to health and education.

It should be noted here that this study has the incidence of child labour is low in

Packages supply chain. However, it is recommended that Packages in cooperation

with Pakistan Pulp Paper & Board Mills Association of which it is a member, should

self-regulate the industry to eliminate the practice of child labour in the industry as a

whole. They can follow the model used by some of the export based industries in

Pakistan in initiating this process.

9.5 Synergy with Stakeholders

The various organs of the state (namely education, health and environment) have not

been providing adequate coverage of social services. Particularly in the informal

sector in part due to limited resources held, a comprehensive role needs to be played

by those in trade, industries and non-government organization in order that the level

of abject poverty under which child labour exists and grows is correctly understood

and appropriate measures are taken to reduce the extent of child labour in a

meaningful and doable manner.

As obvious, the industries and trading centers where child labour exists can effectively

participate in collaboration with non-governmental structure and other social

organizations in the area, and the governmental department of environment,

education, health and labour. This would require a program aimed at gradual but

targeted elimination of child labor from waste paper collection and recycling, and a

simultaneous role of NGO’s social organization and the department of environment,

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health, education and labour in improving the working environment and provision of

basic health coverage.

In the light of above, it is recommended that a program be tailored with the specific

goals of gradual removal of child labour from waste paper and wheat straw recycling

industry, and provision of basic health related coverage and improvements in the

environment within which the industry operates.

The specific features of this proposed program will include the following:

A mutually agreed and effective trio to be established among paper industries,

NGOs focusing on elimination of child labour in the area and the education,

health, labour and environment department of the respective provincial

governments,

In order to ensure an effective approach, the program should aim at reducing the

extent of child labour in its initial phases followed by a complete eradication of

child labour from the industry towards its final phase.

The provision of basic health services, education services and environmental

improvement services should continue across all phases of the program.

Provision of required financial resources must come through the net margin of

profit achieved by different actors in the chain of paper recycling. The international

donor agencies could also play a vital role by augmenting the financial resource

base using different instruments. e.g. provisions of a matching grant or any format

within which resources in kind or cash could be made available. It may look into

raising resources through tax exemptions approved from revenue offices if it can

be proven that profits will be diverted towards health and education of children

and communities. Resources can be generated by capturing carbon credit.

In order to achieve the above mentioned steps or strategic objectives the outputs

required would include the following:

(i) Education: With the help of local NGOs and other social organizations, efforts

would be made to facilitate the elementary education of working children. Such

types of efforts are already in place, though in limited scope, in the country. Based

on the assessment of these organizations in collaboration with the employers,

certain adaptation could be made in order that the working children also receive

primary level education along with their current working status. Some of the

programmes already being implemented by organizations are home schooling,

evening schools in government schools, teacher training and functional literacy.

The approach would be suited in the initial phase of the program which will be

implemented on the basis of minimum but sustained changes that could be

achieved.

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Bunyad, SPARC and Sudhaar can be possible partners in future education and

technical training initiatives in urban and rural areas. Plan and Action Aid have

also carried out significant work in this sector.

(ii) Livelihood:

Poverty was identified as the fundamental reason for child labour. Technical and

Vocational training for parents and older children is an effective way of eliminating

child labour. In the later phase(s) of the program, efforts would be made to ensure

that these children receive more practical training in school. The purpose over

here would be to reduce the extent of child labour gradually to zero level at the

completion of the program.

Overtime, these children, after attaining the age of 15 years or above would be

meaningfully absorbed in the process of collection of waste paper and other

occupations. Attainment of such a goal would be beneficial and efficient for the

paper mills as well and would create the basis for societal benefits in terms of

elimination of child labour from waste paper and wheat straw recycling. Some of

the programmes that can be adopted are apprenticeship and internships. There

are large industrial units with close proximity to the purchase centers and urban

areas. A technical training and industry nexus can be formed where technical

training can be provided to children after 15 years.

Throughout the program, appropriate financial assistance could be provided and

made compulsory with a corresponding reduction in children working hours. This

would help maintain the income levels received by the households through

income generated from child labour. Such integration will help stabilize household

income level and ensure a gradual reduction in child labour from the sector.

In the long run, such an approach will help produce a chain of activities in waste

paper recycling industry which would not only be free from child labour but would

also ensure production of a trained young labour force (of age 15 years or above).

The benefits of such an approach would provide direct additional benefits to the

industry.

Sungi Development Foundation has significant grass-root experience in uplifting

rural communities through livelihood activities. Moreover Save the Children is

working on mitigating child labour in Cotton Picking supply chain through multiple

interventions.

(iii) Health: An equal emphasis would be needed, as an integral part of the program,

to provide basic health safety measures and an improved working environment for

all stakeholders particularly to working children.

Such an output would be achieved with the efficient collaborative efforts of local

NGOs, other welfare organizations and the environmental affairs department of

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the provincial government. This would immensely improve the health status of the

working children and would significantly improve the process of garbage

collection, sorting, bailing and transportation activities.

Plan, Sungi, Save the Children Bunyad , Sudhaar and Action Aid can be possible

partners in mitigating health hazards in the supply chain as they have done

numerous work in this regard. UNICEF can be approached a donor as child health

is a primary concern of theirs.

(iv) Awareness Campaign: The intervention in the area of education and health

mentioned above would remain suboptimal unless and until the level of

community awareness is increased significantly. As an integral part of the

program, activities related to raise community awareness towards the benefits of

safe disposal of garbage will be effectively disseminated to the households,

business circles and operators within the chain. The role of print and electronic

media, in conjunction with NGOs and department of environment, would be

extremely important in building awareness of the community at large.

Sungi Development Foundation has considerable experience in social

mobilization, awareness and advocacy as they have successfully championed

numerous causes over the past two decades.

Overall, ILO in partnership with local organizations such as Sungi and SPARC can

play a significant role in bringing all relevant stakeholders to act towards a

mitigation action plan of child labour in the supply chains

(v) Monitoring and Evaluation: For a program to succeed at the end, it must be

subjected to monitoring and evaluation by a third and independent party. In the

context of the nature of the proposed program, a process of continuously

monitoring and evaluating its activities in a an inter-temporal manner is a basic

requirement in order that any unexpected change that may have occurred which

may affect the expected level of achievements and the need for subsequent

change in its design of the program is correctly and timely ascertained and

process of self-correction is activated. The process of evaluation will take into

account the baseline situation and the final impact of the program. However,

following an intermittent approach, periodic assessment and monitoring (e.g.

quarterly or six-monthly) will be continuously carried out by an external monitor.

The external monitor will measure various aspects of the effectiveness of the

programme like improvements in learning, employers’ satisfaction to training,

school enrollment, and degree of awareness amongst staff of Packages and

community and reduction in poverty. Overall the monitoring system must ensure

constant feedback to review and improve strategies.

These are, nevertheless, thumbnail sketches of the proposed program. A detailed

calibration of the design of the program needs to be carried out in a detailed study by

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incorporating views and agreements of all stakeholders. This study should build upon and

reinforce findings from previous studies already carried out by Packages like that of IFC

which suggested direct collection from institutes and Buy Back Centers Furthermore, the

design will consist of 2 sub-models to take care of specificity of wheat straw and waste

paper collection. This proposed work will build on the initial sketches drawn by this report.