Iqbal Masih, born on January 1, 1983, in the humble village of Muridke, Punjab, Pakistan, was more than just a child; he became a symbol of resilience and courage in the face of adversity. Born into a poor Catholic Christian family, Iqbal’s early life was marred by the struggles of poverty.
His father, Saif Masih, a laborer, faced financial constraints that led him to make a fateful decision in 1986. In an attempt to secure funds for one of his sons’ weddings, Saif took a loan of 600 rupees from a carpet factory owner, using his own children, including four-year-old Iqbal, as collateral. This informal transaction, known as peshgi, allowed arbitrary expenses to be added without oversight, contributing to the cycle of debt.
Chained to a loom, Iqbal endured harsh conditions, working up to 14 hours a day, earning a meager 1 rupee daily. The exploitative nature of the loan, coupled with the illegalities surrounding it, led Iqbal to escape at the age of 10, realizing that bonded labor had been declared illegal by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Despite facing challenges, including police complicity seeking a finder’s fee for returning escaped bonded laborers, Iqbal escaped a second time. He sought refuge in the Bonded Labour Liberation Front (BLLF) school, completing four years of education in just two years.
Iqbal, fuelled by his own struggle, became an activist against child labour, helping over 3,000 Pakistani children escape bonded labour. His journey took him across borders, sharing his story in countries like Sweden and the United States. In 1994, he received the Reebok Human Rights Award in Boston, using the platform to shed light on the plight of millions of children in Pakistan.
However, tragedy struck on Easter Sunday in 1995. Iqbal, only 12 years old, was fatally shot by a servant of a local landowner. The incident, triggered by the discovery of an unnatural act, claimed Iqbal’s life, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and sacrifice.
Following Iqbal’s death, economic elites in Pakistan denied using bonded child labour, leading to a crackdown on BLLF activists. The press, manipulated by economic interests, conducted a smear campaign, distorting the reality of child labour conditions.
Iqbal Masih’s story remains a poignant reminder of the battles against child labour, urging society to reflect on the price paid by those who dare to challenge the status quo. His legacy lives on in the ongoing fight to eradicate child slavery and create a world where every child can grow free from exploitation.
