The project is based on an agreement signed between the PCMEA (Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers’ and Exporters’ Association) and the ILO in 1998. It is implemented in nine districts of Punjab and one district in Sindh Province. This increased the total direct beneficiaries to about 27,000 carpet weaving children and their siblings.

Provision of non-formal education has formed the main component of the project and has achieved prevention of 1,472 boys and 2,191 girls and withdrawal of 4,314 boys and 11,338 girls from carpet weaving. This translated in significant changes in the community. Also, successful mainstreaming of 49 per cent NFE enrolled children into government schools, increased the chances of a child getting an education that is more likely to multiply his/her chances of better life opportunity because it reduces their working hours drastically.

The project conducted 1,826 monitoring visits of carpet weaving sites in Sheikhupura; 2,067 in Faisalabad; and 1,449 in Multan. The ILO-IPEC monitors were able to carry out awareness raising meetings with communities and built close connection with the community groups, which facilitated the social mobilization processes.

Under the project, different activities were carried out in order to build the capacity of the community in different target districts. Income-generation and micro-credit component furnished support to the carpet weaving families to wriggle out of the stress of poverty and relieve the children from work to get education.

In the light of lessons learnt and experience gained so far, the project is pursuing long-term sustainability strategies in the target districts. Partnerships with the local government and other stakeholders are being forged to prolong the project impact in for the carpet weaving child labourers and their families.

For further information please contact:

Mr Sujeewa Fonskea
Chief Technical Advisor
Tel: +51 2276456-8, Ext. 233
Email