Govt, NGOs must join hands

The government and all NGOs working to eradicate child labour must cooperate in monitoring children dropping out of schools and working in factories, schools and other places, said speakers at a seminar yesterday.

Mentioning Bangladesh's dream of becoming a middle-income country, the speakers cautioned that economy growth would instil greed in people which may lead to engaging more children into the workforce.

They were addressing a national seminar on the eve of World Day Against Child Labour 2015 with the theme "No To Child Labour, Yes to Quality Education". The seminar was organised by the labour and employment ministry in the capital's Biam Foundation.

Quoting the prime minister, Michael McGrath, country director of Save the Children, International said in a few years Bangladesh is going to be a middle-income country, which is a sign of a mature civilisation where society cannot be tolerant of child labour.

Tofael Ahmed, director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, said, "Middle-income country and societies where children work in hazardous condition are contradictory."       

Mesbah ul Alam, secretary to the primary and mass education ministry, said a combined, transparent and accountable initiative is required to stop child labour in Bangladesh.

At the open discussion session of the seminar, speakers asked the government to ban hiring children as domestic helps.