Domestic work should be enlisted as hazardous for children, as such work causes hindrance in a child’s physical, mental and moral development, children’s rights activists said at a discussion yesterday.
If domestic work is not included in the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s list of jobs that are hazardous for children, then a good number of children will remain invisible in the efforts to eradicate child labour in the country, said Abdullah Al Mamun, programme manager at Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) and one of the speakers at the discussion.
The event was organised by the ministry on the occasion of World Day against Child Labour today.
The day is observed on June 12 every year focusing on different themes. This year’s theme is “NO to child labour – YES to quality education” to ensure that national policies on child labour and education are consistent and effective.
Speakers also highlighted the fact that most children drop out of school – many at an early stage – because they get involved in earning livelihoods.
“The children mostly work in small industries producing household items – plastic containers, buckets, jewelleries, food, etc. These are dangerous working environment for young children who work amid toxic fumes or in high temperature without safety measures,” said Michael MacGrath, country director of Save the Children Bangladesh.
“In the 21st century, Bangladesh cannot accept child labour. The economy of this country is growing – so is child labour. The corporate sector should look into the matter and every organisation should put an end to child labour.”
Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said: “The government has already taken up a project called Jhukipurno Srom Niroson – Elimination of Hazardous Labour – working with 50,000 children who are engaged in such jobs. However, there has been no development in terms of census, as the project started just a year ago. Strong inspection is needed to get the proper data with the help of government, non-government and civil society organisations.”
According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) conducted in 2003, about 3.2 million children in the country are involved in active labour. Of them, at least 1.3 million are involved in hazardous jobs, with boys comprising at least 91% of the child labourers.
There are currently 38 types of jobs on the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s list of occupations that are hazardous for children.