Child labour remains a significant global issue, infringing on children’s rights and hindering their development. A 2021 ILO-UNICEF report estimates that about 160 million children worldwide are involved in child labour, with 79 million in hazardous work that threatens their health, safety, and moral development.
Although there had been progress over the past two decades, COVID-19, the global recession and recent wars have rolled back the gains, worsening the situation. The persistence of child labour is closely linked to poverty, lack of access to quality education, and inadequate legal and social protections.
Significant progress
Bangladesh has made significant progress, including eliminating child labour in six hazardous sectors including shipbreaking, glass, ceramics, and tanneries. The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) also introduced a digital inspection system, LIMA, to strengthen its activities to ensure that workplaces are safe and free of child labour.
However, child labour remains a critical issue. The National Child Labour Survey, 2022, shows that 1.7 million children are still engaged in child labour, with 1.1 million doing hazardous work. By eliminating child labour and ensuring vocational skills for the youth, Bangladesh would secure a better future for its children, and develop the skilled workforce needed for the country’s economic prosperity, especially after LDC graduation.
Recommendations
On this World Day against Child Labour, the ILO encourages the Government of Bangladesh to consider the following recommendations to fulfil its pledge to eliminate all forms of child labour by 2025.
- Amend the labour law to severely penalize employment of children, more so in hazardous work. Bring child domestic workers into the legal framework to protect them from exploitation and other forms of harm.
- Align the minimum age, 14, for entry into the workforce with that for compulsory education. The National Education Policy should set grade eight as the benchmark for compulsory education.
- Introduce robust social security programmes for parents and children so that families do not have to rely on children’s income.
As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) we stand ready to support the Government in its efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labour including child trafficking, prostitution, and pornography.
Ending child labour is a moral imperative and a key step towards social justice.