Children exposed to hazards
Child labour refers to the employment of children in any work that deprives them of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend school regularly, and any work that is mentally, physically, socially or morally harmful. Bangladesh has seen a phenomenal rise in child labour in recent years. Children are found working in affluent houses as domestic help, or at shops, hotels and restaurants, garages, etc. They are often exposed to health hazards on the job.
We need more social awareness programmes to highlight the dangers of these jobs that violate child labour laws. Most underprivileged children don't even know their own rights.
Children from poor families should be brought under vocational educational programmes so that they can be engaged in income-generating activities later in life. Bangladesh must ratify ILO Convention 138, which bans the employment of children under a certain minimum age. Collective efforts are needed to stop child labour. The state must play a proactive role in this cause.
Zubair Khaled Huq
By email
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