Voluntarily realizing its duties towards Corporate Social Responsibilities, Surgical Association entered in to agreement with International Labor Organization in 2001 to tackle the problem of Child Labor in the sector and since then, the Association and its members are vigorously following the program and its requirements. Following are some of the major highlights / achievements made so far in this comprehensive program:

• SIMAP and ILO signed an agreement on August 17, 2001 for the first phase of Child Labor elimination.
• Government of Pakistan ratified ILO Convention 182 in 2001 and a Time Bound Programme (TBP) was launched for six prioritized occupations including surgical instruments manufacturing. Under TBP child labour would be eliminated from surgical sector on priority basis. 
• SIMAP paid US$64500 for the first phase.
• The main objective of this agreement was to identify and reduce child labor (children under 14 years of age) used in the surgical instruments manufacturing at least in district Sialkot and to incorporate them in the social protection programs.
• SIMAP and ILO signed another agreement for the second phase of the program on December 23, 2003 for elimination and rehabilitation of child labor.
• As per agreement SIMAP has paid US$226250 for this phase.
• The main objective of this phase is to monitor and rehabilitate child labor used in the surgical instruments manufacturing at least in district Sialkot and to incorporate them in the social protection programs. 
• Number of non-formal education centers formed by ILO: 62 (more than 2000 children are going to these NFE’s)
• Number of SIMAP member companies voluntarily registered for Child Labor Elimination Program: 243
• Number of vendor workshops in surgical sector is approximately 3500.
• Number of vendors who are registered with the Surgical Child Labor Program is 1269.

The Association is always committed to eliminate and rehabilitate child labour from this sector and with the continued support of the members, the Industry is near to settle this issue. As per future requirement, the Association and the Industry will continue to work with ILO and other international agencies for complete resolution of this problem.