'Political commitment a must to eliminate child labour'

The press conference was organised by Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF) in association with Terre des hommes- Netherlands on the eve of the World Day Against Child Labour at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) auditorium.

The speakers said child labour is an existent reality in the country and poverty is the main reason that forces the children to accept risky jobs.

They demanded increased awareness in the society to resist worst form of child labour.

This can be done by providing to children alternative ways of living, vocational training and informal education along with micro credit facilities to their parents, they added.

The speakers also stressed the need for implementing the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) as well as conducting advocacy at different levels to curb worst form of child labour.

Quoting National Child Labour Survey 2002-03, they said a total of 4, 23,87,000 children aged between 5 and 17 are child labour and over 40 percent of them are engaged in risky jobs.

"So it is time to implement the PRSP and women empowerment can also play an important role in eliminating child labour," said Abdus Shahid Mahmud of BSAF while reading a keynote paper.

BSAF Director AYM Morshed Hossain said child labour should not be considered as a stray incident in the society.

BSAF Vice-chairman Emranul Haque Chowdhury presided over the press conference.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE) Foundation formed a human chain at Agargaon in the city to mark the World Day Against Child Labour.

With the slogan 'Worst form of Child Labour Free Bangladesh', hundreds of children joined the human chain.

Speaking on the occasion, the speakers said the urban street and slum children are more vulnerable than rural children to worst form of child labour.

Foundation Joint Secretary Chaina Rahman and Organiser Monir Uddin were present on the occasion.