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Child labour

24 April 2005, 18:00 PM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
By Roksana Jahan Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh
24 April 2005, 18:00 PM
. PHOTO: AFP
According to census data, children constitute nearly 12% of the total labour force. This figure is quite high compared to the figures for the world (3.8 %). Child labour becomes an important developmental issue because poor families have to be compensated for the loss of income. Many of the occupations of working children have some risks of physical injury or other health hazards. Usually, child labour is a sordid reality in Bangladesh. Their working conditions are poor, their wages are less than nominal, and their treatment is cruel. Even many of the workers are not paid at all and they work under conditions of bonded labour. Again children become the frequent victims of domestic and institutional violence. Girls are more vulnerable than boys. Many of them are sexually abused.

Compulsory universal primary education could be one of the effective instruments for the eradication of child labour. At present, nearly 40% of school-aged children are never enrolled in school. The problems of primary education revolve around issues of access, equity and quality. One of the major obstacles towards education of slum children is their insecure living conditions. Although some NGOs have already started the "non-formal education programme" for the terminated child workers, these schools represent no more than 1% of all schools (Ibid, 1990).

In fact, poverty is the principal reason for both child labour and poor school performance. About 30 million children in Bangladesh are living in absolute poverty. So, the government and NGOs should intensify the poverty alleviation programmes for the most needy ones.

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