The United States Department of Labor has funded several child labor projects in Pakistan, which are detailed below.

Elimination of Child Labor in the Soccer Ball Industry in Sialkot (US $1.8 million, 1997). The primary objective of the project is to prevent and eliminate child labor in the production of soccer balls in Sialkot through workplace monitoring and provision of alternatives to children and their families. The project, which is a result of an agreement between the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), ILO and UNICEF, has achieved several important results. Manufacturers who participate in the project have shifted their production of soccer balls from homes to stitching centers that are registered and monitored by the ILO/IPEC. Over 90 percent of the soccer ball export production is being monitored through this program. IPEC monitors conduct unannounced inspections of the centers to ensure that children are not stitching soccer balls.

The project has succeeded in removing more than 6,000 children from soccer ball stitching and providing them with non-formal education and/or skills training. Over 1,900 of these children have been mainstreamed into the formal education system. The project, currently in its second phase, continues to provide education to former child laborers, as well as any new children found working in the industry. In addition, 2,000 parents of former child stitchers will benefit from income generating activities.

One of the objectives of the second phase of the project is to plan for a sustainable phase out strategy for IPEC. To that end, the project will work to establish a local independent monitoring body to succeed the current IPEC monitoring system.

This project has benefited from the continued support and active participation of the SCCI in addressing the issue of child labor in the soccer ball industry. The industry has contributed about US $400,000 to project activities. They have also established the Child and Social Development Program within SCCI to ensure that child labor and other social issues are addressed effectively in the industry.

Combating Child Labor in the Carpet Industry (US $2 million, 1999). This three-year project seeks to reduce the incidence of child labor in the carpet sector in Punjab. Working in partnership with the Pakistan Carpet Manufactures and Exporters Association (PCMEA), the project has established a monitoring system to identify working children and ensure their gradual withdrawal from carpet weaving. Approximately 8,000 carpet-weaving children aged 14 and below and 2,000 of their younger siblings are targeted for non-formal education. Children will also benefit from other support services including health, recreation, and counseling. In addition, 2,000-3,000 parents of carpet-weaving children will receive training and access to micro-credit to start their own income-generating enterprises.

To date the project has managed to provide nearly 8,000 children with non-formal education and prevented about 1,000 younger siblings from entering work. More than 100 children have been mainstreamed into the formal education system. Based on surveys conducted in the two districts, the number of carpet weaving children far exceeds the project’s target group. USDOL is exploring funding a second phase to the project, which would expand services provided to include additional carpet weaving children in the two current districts of Sheikhupura and Gujranwala, as well as expanded program activities to cover additional areas in Punjab where carpet-weaving takes place.