Economic Survival vs. Childhood: Investigating Child Labour in the Fishing Industry of Daam, Balochistan

Child labor is a global social issue, with its primary causes rooted in socio-economic factors. The main objective of this study is to analyze the causes of child labor in the fishing industry of Lasbela District, Balochistan. A qualitative research approach was adopted for this study, through which data was collected using surveys and interviews. children engaged in child labor are included in present study. A total of 103 working children were interviewed, to know about their lives and causes to get work in fishing factory “Damm”. For analysis, descriptive analysis and the Chi-Square Test were used to determine the relationships between variables. The results revealed that most children earning between PKR 9,000 to 11,000 per month had been engaged in labor for over a year. Moreover, children whose fathers were illiterate were found to be involved in work for a longer period compared to those whose fathers had at least a primary or middle-level education. A statistically significant relationship was found between parental education and child labor. The study confirmed a meaningful correlation between child labor and factors such as children's income, father's education, and family education. It concluded that population development, access to free education, and the provision of employment opportunities can play a vital role in reducing child labor.