Deputy speaker seeks collective efforts to eliminate child labour

Jatiya Sangsad Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal on Sunday called for concerted efforts by government and private organisations, civil society and all concerned to eliminate child labour and ensure proper enforcement of existing laws.
“Many good laws exist in the country, but their proper implementation remains inadequate,” he said at a dialogue titled “What We Need to Do to Eliminate Child Labour,” as the chief guest at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in the capital, according “to “a press release.
Kayser Kamal said law enforcement agencies must act impartially, particularly in cases involving influential people, while political leaders, ministers and officials and employees of the executive branch must also be held accountable.
“Those paid with taxpayers’ money must face proper oversight,” he said, stressing the need for constructive criticism and effective oversight of the executive branch.
Referring to the prime minister’s invitation to street children for a meal as a demonstration that they deserved a dignified life, he said plans are underway to bring them back home from the streets.
“We have got a humane prime minister,” he said, urging all concerned not to “politicise such humanitarian initiatives” and to work together to build a “humane Bangladesh.”
Urging everyone not to employ children under 14 in domestic work, he said parliament would amend existing laws or enact new ones, if necessary, to protect children’s interests.
Action for Social Development (ASD) in collaboration with the Child Labour Elimination Platform (CLEP), organised the event, chaired by ASD Executive Director MA Karim.
Representatives of civil society, NGOs, human rights organisations, Parliament Secretariat officials and journalists from print and electronic media attended the programme.