.JPG)
TALUQAN (SW): Based on an investigative report by Salam Watandar, police in Takhar province have taken action against child labor in the Taqcha Khana Salt Mine in Namakabd district of the province.
Last month, Salam Watandar unearthed that children have been forced to work for years here. Nearly 400 children between the ages of 8 and 17 have been working in Taqcha Khana Salt Mining in Namakab district of Takhar due to poverty and inevitable pressure of the family. These minors have been exposed to respiratory problems, physical weaknesses and inability to attend school besides being away from family.
Upon these revelation, the provincial police headquarters informed that the private contractor at the Mine has been warned against employing minors. Khalil Asir, spokesman for the Afghan National Police (ANP) in Takhar, said that actions have been taken in this regard. “There were serious issues at the Taqcha Salt Mine, children were being employed. The children were also under pressure from their families. Now, the district officials have launched a plan to counter it”.
Salam Watandar found evidence that indicate the “Westco International” as a contractor for extracting salt from Taqcha Khana Salt Mine, requested the authorities in Takhar to allow the under-age children to work for the company's salt mine. In the letter no. 160 dated “17/02/1394”, Westco International wrote: “The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has put pressure on the company to stop the extraction of salt mines by under-age children…”
According to Section 7, Article 1 of the Law on Combating Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants, exploitation of the children for such purpose is considered as human trafficking. But, a number of children have been working here for 19 hours in a day without any break.
Syed Kazim Sadiq, head of the Directorate of Labor, Social Welfare, has confirmed that more than 100 children have been employed at these mines by their parents for a meager income of AFN 70 for a long 15-hour day of hard labor. Officials believe the main reason behind the prevailing practice of child labor is the lack of awareness about child rights.
The Directorate of Labor, Social Welfare has vowed to launch an awareness campaign with the support of UNICEF.
ENDS
