In order to achieve these goals, the project sought to develop a voluntary, credible and reliable monitoring system across the industry. It also withdrew children from hazardous work in the stitching industry, provided them with appropriate education, skills training, and health and social protection services and supported their families through alternative income-generating activities. On a broader level, the project raised awareness among business, community and religious leaders, families and children of the dangers of child labour and the importance of education.
Achievements/Accomplishments
The project surpassed expectations and targets in some of its objectives (see box). Thousands of children were withdrawn from work and they and their siblings were enrolled in school. Some schools were set up through the project as state education facilities were not always present in outlying vulnerable communities surrounding Sialkot. Vocational education was made available to help older children develop new skills in trades that would provide them with a more secure future. A skills training and micro-credit program was also established to help vulnerable families develop income-generating activities to offset the loss of children’s income. In addition, health and hygiene activities were included as part of the social protection component, providing medical examinations and support to children and their families.
As the project progressed, the number of children working in the football industry fell considerably and prevention rates increased. Consequently, the education and social protection components were gradually phased out. Although some education centres closed as students graduated or moved to state schools, a large number was subsequently taken over either by the community or by the district government, improving education access across Sialkot district. This strategy ensured that education support continued to be available in those communities for as long as necessary and that the project was integrated effectively into the district government’s primary education plan.
Centralizing production, protecting women’s employment
A voluntary child labour prevention and monitoring program was opened to all soccer ball manufacturers that agreed to abide by its terms and conditions. Those that signed up paid a membership fee to contribute towards the costs of the program. As part of an overall effort to reorganize and streamline the industry, each signatory was obliged to set up registered football stitching centres which were monitored internally and externally to ensure compliance. Work previously done in households was shifted to these registered centres. The provision of child-care facilities ensured that mothers could continue to work, and the centralized production made monitoring for child labour feasible. Working conditions were generally improved throughout the industry, with an additional focus on hygiene and related health and safety matters. In general, workforce morale improved, particularly in the stitching centres, which became a strong focus of community activity.