Child labor crises in Bangladesh and solution ideas.
The Bangladesh bureau of statics published the provisional report of the “national child labor survey 2022” on 19th July 2023. The 2022 survey report finds that Bangladesh has 39.96 million children (51.79% boys and 48.21% girls) aged 5 to 17 years. Among these 4.4% are engaged in child labor, 60.14% of whom are engaged in hazardous child labor.
Child labor is very common in Bangladesh. Most of the children works different industry, mills, Factory and some others platform. They are very pathetic that sometimes children are found engaged in risky job. There living and food arrangements are not so good. Many children works in workshop, hotel, public transport, shops. Sometime they have to break bricks and stone in brick field. All these work they do are inhuman.
Many children domestic workers work under conditions of forced labor including debt bondage, sexual assault and extreme physical abuse.
The Government of Bangladesh ratified the ILO convention of the worst forms of child labor, 1999 (No.182) on 12th march 2001. The Government also ratified ILO’s minimum age convention 1973(No.138) on 22th march 2022. And the protocol of 2014 to the forced labor convention 1930(No.29) on 20th January 2022.
How they came this life:
Bangladesh is an aggro based country. A citizen owns a very small plot of land. Which is not at all sufficient for his existence. Maximum family are poor and living below the poverty line. Most families have 4/5 children. It becomes difficult to run a family an ones earning. At some point it becomes difficult to conduct their schooling and studies. Then they went down the street to work in search of livelihood.
Solution Ideas:
In the urge of life children pick up work tools in the hand that should have reading books and toys. Although various organization of the country and foreign NGO’s have took necessary steps against child labor. In this regard foreign NGO’s can do a special role.
In such a situation, the only way to stop child labor is to eradicate poverty. But it is not easy to change the poor condition of any country easily. Therefore until the poverty of the country is eliminated.
There is a need for a joint initiative by the Government and the privet sector with foreign aid agencies to stop child labor.
Sponsor education:
If possible help in sponsoring the education of a child from different cities in Bangladesh. There are several NGO’s on helping to connect donors with needy children.
Know about laws:
Understanding the constitution and its role in child protection is an essential step towards preventing child labor. Ones they are aware of the laws they are well equipped to tackle and warn the individuals hiring a child laborers.
Education and awareness:
Educating people especially businessman and employers, about the ill effect can help prevent child labor. Need to talk with them about the impact of child labor on children’s mental and physical health and how it can affect their future. Also inform them about the laws and there penalties.
Conversation with the parents of child labor:
If we know of any parents forcing his/her child into child labor in our vicinity, need to talk and inform how child labor can jeopardize their child future.
Partnering with an organization:
To prevent child labor, we can associate with an NGO or an organization working in this field. We can volunteer with them be a part of their outreach and awareness’s activities. Supporting them generously by contributing to their cause is also a great idea.