Child Domestic Worker
Rubina Naseer

We daily come across children of our age group especially girls, working in others homes. Some of them lend a helping hand to their mothers while some work alone, to help their parents earn a living. Their work ranges from mopping floors, washing plates and clothes and even tending the little children of their owners, when they themselves are mere kids. They are often scolded, punished and they stand a high risk of abuse. The fruit of their hard work is received by their parents. This should not be the responsibility of a child to fulfill needs of his large family at the cost of his own innocent childhood.

Sometimes, a poor large family in village sends their son or daughter to city to seek work in a house as domestic worker. Rather, it is the duty of his elders; incase they are not able to do so, the responsibility lies on the government for financial assistance. There should be an institution for welfare of these children. The story does not end here- public should also be involved in help. If a young child is working at our home and there is no way out other than work, we can ask our parents to atleast treat him with care and educate him, be through formal or informal means. Only two times meal and a pair of clothes can not satisfy his needs.

 The Holy Prophet has said, “treat your servants as you treat yourself, feed them with what you eat and put in them what you wear.”