The detailed TORs are available on the ILO website link:
https://www.ilo.org/islamabad/aboutus/WCMS_832714/lang-en/index.htm
Terms of Reference for the technical services of individual/expert for
Rapid Assessment relating to child labour in rag/garbage picking in Pakistan
1. Background and rationale
The International Labour Organization (ILO) through the Asia Regional Child Labour (ARC) Project[1] aims to reduce vulnerability to child labour and enhance protection of children from exploitation. The project is implemented in six countries, including Pakistan, and assists constituents and other stakeholders to eliminate child labour through the following three outcomes/objectives:
In Pakistan, on the basis of stakeholders’ consultations, specific sectors were identified as priorities for the elimination of child labour, namely garbage/rag picking, auto mechanic /repair industry, manufacturing of bricks, begging, domestic work, small hotels and shops, agriculture, and bangles making.
The current Terms of reference relates to child labour in rag-picking.
Pakistan generates about 20 million tonnes of solid waste annually, with a growth rate of 2.4 percent per year. Recycling is among the most effective means through which solid waste can be reduced: while Pakistan does not have formal recycling facilities, an informal recycling industry continues to thrive. In the absence of adequate garbage collection and waste management infrastructure, most of this garbage is incinerated or left to rot in dumps, often in the middle of cities.[2] Much of the generated waste is recovered, mostly by scavengers, before it reaches the final disposal sites.[3]
There are no recent estimates of children’s involvement in rag-picking and evidence is mainly qualitative or anecdotal. A rapid assessment by SDPI in 2003 and a research on occupational safety and health (OSH) of rag pickers contribute to a better understanding of working conditions and background characteristics of children involved in rag picking. Key findings emerging from these studies are as follows:[4] & [5]
2. OBJECTIVES
The proposed research aims at strengthening the knowledge base on child labour in rag picking to inform policy and intervention design.
In particular, the research will:
The research questions have been enlisted in Annex 1, which have been finalized in conjunction with relevant stakeholders through a national consultation workshop.
As a first step, a background review will take stock of available data and research on children involved in rag picking and will review interventions related to child labour in rag picking. This will allow informing the development of the research design. However, it is envisaged that the research will rely on quantitative and qualitative methods.
The research will be based on the Rapid Assessment methodology developed jointly by ILO-IPEC and UNICEF,[7] as well as in the guidelines developed by SIMPOC on data collection, processing and analysis of child labour data. Technical guidance on the Rapid Assessment shall be provided, as required, by ILO/FUNDAMENTALS Geneva.
The research will adhere, as much as possible, to the definition of child labour based on national and international standards (see Panel 1. below)
Panel 1. Child labour definition based on international labour standards
In accordance concerning child labour and international standards, as set by the 20th International Conference on Labour Statisticians (ICLS) in the Resolution to amend the 18th ICLS Resolution concerning statistics of child labour:[8]
The definitions above shall, however, be adapted to the national legislation as countries enjoy some flexibility concerning i) the minimum age of admission to employment; ii) the exception of some categories of work or employment and provisions for light work; iii) the list of hazardous occupation and activities.
Background review
The background review will aim at providing an overview of children involvement in rag picking based on the knowledge already available; it will also identify key knowledge gaps related on child labour in rag picking.
The background review will involve an analysis of the waste management in Pakistan, a review of survey data and other data sources, a literature review and a review of interventions related to child labour in rag picking.
Characterizing the sector
The disposal of municipal solid waste is the second most major concern for public health in developing countries because of population explosion, rampant poverty and high urbanization rates combined with poor government funding to curb waste management [9]. Factors such as waste composition, technologies and lack of infrastructure have been found to set apart the good management of solid wastes in developing nations. Municipal waste is mainly comprised of paper, vegetable matter, plastics, metals, textiles, rubber and glass. In some countries (developing as well as developed), municipal solid waste is mixed with medical wastes and this may pose health risk to waste handlers and general public.
An analysis of the waste management (formal and informal) will allow understanding its structure and functioning, supply chain, the social context and the locations where child labour occurs, and of the stakeholders involved. The analysis of the sector will include mapping of disposal sites and areas where rag pickers work in the selected districts; labour force composition (migrant workers from other provinces and regions, temporary or casual workers, etc.) the sector practices (labour procurement practices, including the role of private/recruitment agencies and online recruitment platforms, and working conditions, compliance and due diligence practices) and regulatory and oversight mechanisms, aiming at identifying key factors and major players influencing child labour in the sector.
Review of survey data and other data sources relating to child labour in rag picking
Country-level data sources often contain information on children’s work that is not fully exploited. With this in mind, an assessment will be conducted on the availability of information on a range of variables relating to children’s work in the waste industry available from common household survey instruments, such as the Pakistan Labour Force Survey. Other sources of data will be looked at, such as administrative records.
Literature review
Research papers, studies and reports using quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods methodologies on child labour in rag picking will be considered, including those produced by research organizations, government authorities, social partners, civil society organizations and private sector institutions.
The review shall cover information regarding the presence and extent, characteristics and causes of child labour in the waste industry. Within this framework, efforts shall be directed towards identifying characteristics and factors specific to children’s engagement in the waste industry, including poverty and lack of economic stability and of employment and livelihood opportunities, lack of education, cultural and social construct. Areas of focus will be migration dynamics and the link between households’ indebtedness and child labour in rag picking.
All studies to be considered, whether qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods, must satisfy at least one of following criteria:
In line with the research questions in Annex A, the literature review will explore:
Review of interventions
The review will also consider both policies, laws and programs directly tackling child labour in in rag picking, as well as those with a bearing on it, such as education, social protection and awareness raising. Provisions for migrant children and households will be also looked at. The institutional framework will also be looked at in order to identify the role of key institutional actors at all tiers of governance (national, provincial and district level), and their coordination.
Qualitative methods
Qualitative methods will provide in-depth information on the characteristics of the work performed by children involved in rag picking, the socio-economic and cultural factors behind child labour, the characteristics of the waste sector and their influence on child labour, and the characteristics and effectiveness of the institutional response in preventing and eliminating child labour.
Qualitative tools will include, but not limited to, in-depth interviews or focus group discussions with key informants.
In particular, qualitative methods will aim at:
Qualitative methods will target key informants, which will be identified through the background research. Guiding questions for their identifications are:
A sub-set of stakeholders will be selected, in close consultation with the ILO Country Office and the Research and Evaluation Unit (Fundamentals, ILO HQ), as key informants.
3. REPORT: CHILD LABOUR IN RAG/GARBAGE PICKING
Building on the background review and on the interviews with key informants, a report will be developed on children’s involvement in rag-picking, addressing the research questions included in Annex A. The final report will not exceed 40 pages, excluding annexes.
It is suggested to structure the report around the following themes:
4. Ethical considerations
Conducting research on child labour calls for serious ethical considerations to protect interviewees and interviewers, as outlined in the ILO Ethical considerations when conducting research on children in the worst forms of child labour.[10] Given the current circumstances, measures relating to the COVID pandemic are particularly relevant.
Participants should not be harmed in any way as a result of their participation. To this end, ethical principles will be respected during the conduct of the study. Also, the participant’s consent will be obtained before the questionnaire is administered. Under no circumstances will the individual economic or financial data collected be used for tax, economic or social control purposes, nor for research purposes by administrative, political, police, military or judicial authorities. All members of the collection team will undertake measures to keep the information collected confidential.
The final data will also be anonymised to prevent individual information from being identifiable.
5. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT AND REPORTING LINES
The ILO is seeking the services of individual/expert to design and implement the proposed assessment study in four provinces of Pakistan and Islamabad/Rawalpindi (2-4 districts in each province, to be selected from amongst those, ranked high in producing solid/municipal waste). S/he will be fully responsible for adequate and timely implementation of the rapid assessment including drawing sample, coordinating and administering interviews, traveling, lodging/boarding, making necessary photographs, data processing, analysis and drafting the report. S/he should consider making the best use of existing knowledge, experiences and materials. The implementation strategy will be finalized in close consultation with the ARC-National Project Coordinator for Pakistan, with technical backstopping of Chief Technical Advisor and relevant ILO Specialists (as appropriate).
6. WORK DAYS
Kindly indicate the total workdays required to complete the assignment.
7. RESPONSIBILITIES AND MAJOR ACTIVITIES
The collaborating partner will undertake the following activities:
8. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ILO
9. DELIVERABLES
10. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
The successful applicant should have the following minimum qualifications and skills:
11. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
The interested candidates need to carefully read the TORs and submit the following:
Interested applicants are requested to send the quotation to [email protected] cc: [email protected] with RFQ/ILO-ARC/05/2021 “Rapid Assessment relating to child labour in rag/garbage picking in Pakistan” mentioned in the subject of email/submission.
Kindly dispatch the hard copy of financial proposal/budget (Annex II– Budget) in sealed envelope to:
ILO Registry
Ref: RFQ/ILO-ARC/05/2021
ILO Building, G-5/2, Near State Bank of Pakistan, Islamabad
Deadline for submission: on or before Monday, January 03, 2022 by 17:00 hours Pakistan times. Any proposal received without this number and after the deadline will not be considered.
Clarifications related to TORs/RFQ: Should the applicant need any clarification, please send email to [email protected] by Dec 24, 2021. No calls will be accepted.
12. APPRAISAL OF PROPOSALS, SELECTION AND AWARD OF CONTRACT
Technical Proposal will entail 80% weights and be appraised against the following criteria:
Technical capacity that includes: individual profile, relevant demonstrated experience, indicating sound capacity of working on similar assignment, previous work experience with international organizations/UN agencies. Clear articulation of research design and implementation methodology, including proposed set of activities
The Budget will carry 20% weights and will be evaluated using following criteria:
The budget is cost effective and represents value for money, justified and aligned with proposed set of activities.
The project will select an appropriate individual/expert best meeting the desired competencies and experience to carry out the assignment. The selection will also be based on a transparent process including assessment of technical and financial proposals (value for money).
Annex I. Child labour in rag picking: PRELIMINARY Research questions
Prevalence
What is the prevalence of child labour and hazardous work in rag picking in Pakistan (national or sub-national level)?
Characteristics of waste management and rag picking
Background characteristics of households with children involved in rag-picking
Characteristics of the work performed by children in rag picking
Interplay with education
Interplay with social development
Attitudes, social acceptance and awareness
B. Assessing the national response to child labour in rag picking
Government efforts
Are there mechanisms in place to ensure that accurate data on child labour (or lack thereof) are available?
[1] The ARC project is funded by Funded by Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, (UK), the Asia Regional Child Labour (ARC) Project
[2] Shiza Malik (2019). Pakistan’s waste problem is a recycling industry waiting to be found.
[3] Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (2005). Draft guidelines for solid waste management
[4] Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and International Labour Organization (2003). Rapid assessment of Rag-pickers) in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar and Islamabad – Pakistan for preparatory phase of Time Bound Project for worst forms of child labour
[5] International Labour Organization (2013). The effect of work on children’s health. Report of research on ten occupational sectors in Pakistan as part of International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC).
[6] Naqvi Maryam (2020). Will the fate of child waste pickers ever change in Pakistan?
[7] http://www.ilo.org/ipecinfo/product/viewProduct.do;?productId=1819
[8] https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/-dgreports/-stat/documents/meetingdocument/wcms_647347.pdf
[9] https://www.bioenergyconsult.com/solid-waste-management-history-and-future-outlook
[10] ILO (2003). Ethical considerations when conducting research on children in the worst forms of child labour.