YWDRC demand rapid implementation of 5th phase to eliminate hazardous child labour

Speakers at a meeting held at the NUS Training Center in the capital’s Banasree demanded the swift implementation of the fifth phase of the “Hazardous Child Labour Elimination Project” to tackle the growing problem of hazardous child labour in Bangladesh.

They said that hazardous child labour remains a serious social and human rights issue, with the latest survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and the ILO estimating around 3.54 million child workers in the country, of whom approximately 1.28 million are engaged in hazardous work.

This means nearly one in three child labourers is exposed to dangerous conditions, posing severe threats to their health, education, and future.

The session, organised by Young Women for Development Rights and Climate (YWDRC) with support from Nari Unnayan Shakti (NUS), Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF), Textile Garments Workers Federation (TGWF), Domestic Worker Employers Association Bangladesh (DWEAB), She-Lead, and Forum for Culture and Human Development (FCHD), brought together experts, activists, and stakeholders.

Speakers said that without immediate and effective measures, an entire generation’s future would be at risk. They demanded that the government approve and implement the fifth phase of the hazardous child labour elimination project without delay, and take steps to identify children engaged in dangerous work, rehabilitate them, and include them in education and skills development programmes.

They also stressed the need for stricter enforcement of labour laws, effective monitoring of hazardous work sectors, and punitive measures against violations. Expanding social protection programmes for poor and vulnerable families was highlighted as essential to prevent children from being forced into labour.

Nusrat Sultana Afroz, Executive Chairperson of YWDRC, said immediate action is crucial to ensure children’s rights and secure their future.

Dr Afroza Parvin, Executive Director of NUS, called for government coordination and sufficient budget allocation, noting that without these, eliminating hazardous child labour would remain impossible.

Dr Sultan Mohammad Razzak of BSAF emphasised addressing legal enforcement gaps, while Abdul Momin of FCHD stressed creating opportunities for education and skill development as sustainable solutions.

Selina Khatun, publicity secretary of DWEAB, warned that rising unemployment in the country has further increased child labour beyond official survey figures.

Other speakers included Shahida Wahab of She-Lead, Bir Muktijoddha Abul Hossain of TGWF, and several other leaders and activists.

The participants said that previous government initiatives had suffered from slow implementation and inadequate monitoring. They demanded a coordinated approach involving relevant ministries, local government, civil society, and labour organisations.

Concluding the session, speakers urged immediate, coordinated, and effective measures to eliminate hazardous child labour, stressing that ensuring a safe and secure childhood is a constitutional responsibility of the state.