Despite the government’s publication of a list of hazardous work for children on March 10, underage children continue to be employed in these areas right under the nose of law enforcers.
The list that was allegedly effective from the date of its publication listed 38 categories of work, including butchery, chemical, working in bidi–cigarette factories, handling goods in ports and ships and working as a driver’s aide for bus, truck or commuter vehicles (human haulers).
Experts on children’s rights said the businesses that fall under the list continue to run operations utilising a large number of children as workforce due to the government’s apparent neglect in prioritising child labour issues and implementing related laws and policies across the country.
In the capital, 10-year-old “Aslam” was seen assisting the driver of a human hauler at Mohammadpur’s Shia Mosque intersection around 1:30pm right under the nose of patrol police and only 30 yards away from Rapid Action Battalion’s camp for the locality.
Under the scorching mid-day sun, Aslam was banging on the roof of the make-shift passenger carrier and calling out to commuters. He was simultaneously coughing from the vehicle’s emissions.
However, when asked whether fumes, dust and heat were bothering him, Aslam proudly answered, “No, I am not a kid,” and argued that the fact that he earns his own livelihood proves that he is a grown up.
Aslam, who was supposed to directly benefit from the ban, is unaware of the list’s existence and does not know that his profession has been marked as dangerous and risky for people under 18 years of age.
“Making lists of hazardous work would mean nothing if children are seen engaged in work that have been marked as physically and psychologically risky for them,” Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation project manager Omar Faruq told the Dhaka Tribune.
The National Child Labour Elimination Policy 2010, which provides a framework to eradicate all forms of child labour by 2015, set the criteria for identifying “hazardous” work for children, including above five hours work per day and work which create undue pressure on a child’s physical and psychological well-being and development.
Child rights specialist Sharfuddin Khan pointed out several loopholes regarding the issue, including supply and demand, lack of awareness among guardians and socio-cultural practices, which could lead to the framework’s failure.
“Employers want to appoint children since they can be exploited with low salary and nearly no facilities. The guardians are supplying their kid to meet this demand, with a hope that they might be raised in a comparatively better condition.”
“So long as such vicious circles are not broken by law, child labour cannot be eliminated.”
The National Child Labour Survey 2002-03, conducted by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, found 1.3m children aged 5 to 17 years were engaged in hazardous work. Child rights activists claim the number is either the same or more now.
Mujibur Rahman, joint secretary of the labour ministry, said in a press meeting yesterday: “At least 91% of the children involved with hazardous work are boys.”
He also said the government will conduct a fresh census on child labour this year, the report of which will be available by early 2014.
He claimed the government has taken a series of initiatives to eliminate child labour, such as preparations for amending the labour act 2006, adoption of the National Child Labour Elimination Policy (NCLEP) and mainstreaming child labour issues into the sixth five-year National Development Plan.