Developing a Policy Solution to Address Child Labor: The Case of Afghan Refugee of Saranan & Surkhab Refugee Camps of Quetta
Author: Muhammad Ajmal Khan

Among socio-economic issues that are closely linked with the formation of human capital is the threat of child labor. And, the right to acquire education is the fundamental human right. Indeed, the phenomenon of child labor is prominent among Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. The socioeconomic factors play an important role in determining child labor. These factors are the main driving forces of the country’s economic development. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the socioeconomic factors of child labor among Afghan refugees and to empirically analyze the Afghan refugee’s migration profile. The sample for this study comprises of 281 refugee’s household, and, 916 Afghani’s children aged 5-14 years are obtained through household survey conducted in district Quetta, Pishin and Lorlahi. And, logistic regression is used for empirical analysis. And, for the refugee’s migration profile the statistical tool pic chart is used in study. The empirical analysis show that the child factors Age and Ethnicity has significant impact on child labor but the factors Child Education and Sex are insignificant. In fact, the probability of child labor is high if the child is female. Moreover, the household head factors such as Occupation and Literacy has statistically significant impact of child labor among afghan refugees. and, the probability of child labor is less when the household size is large, and decreases with Monthly income but the impact is insignificant. Further, the social indicators show that the factors such as Gas connection, NGO’s presence, access to Public School, and 5-6 Rooms have statistically negative impact on child labor. And, the variables Distance to main source of water, willingness to return to Afghanistan, NGO’ run special schools are positively associated with the child labor and the impact is significant. Furthermore, the refugee’s migration profile shows that about 18% of refugees are refugees by birth and half of the refugees are living in Quetta, Blaochistan. The largest influx according to the study is between 1676-1980. The major reason behind migration are “war” 33%, “lack of safety” 19%, “protection of modesty” 15% and 11% reported Pakistan was safe place for them. Currently, about 76% are not willing to return to Afghanistan. The reasons reported includes “lack of safety” 45%, “lack of services” 14% and 11% reported that they are happy in Pakistan therefore they are not willing to return to Afghanistan. Supervisor:- Dr. Nasir Iqbal

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Supervisor: Nasir Iqbal

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