Beneath the hum of Bangladesh’s burgeoning economy lies the persistent shadow of child labour.
The issue of child labour in Bangladesh is not merely a statistic or a headline; it is a deep-seated socioeconomic phenomenon that affects millions of lives, shaping the future of the nation in profound ways.
An estimated 3.45 million child labourers, aged between 5 and 17 years work in Bangladesh.
These children are engaged in various forms of labour, from working in garment factories to toiling in agriculture, brick kilns, and domestic servitude.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines child labour as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential, and their dignity, and that is harmful to their physical and mental development.
In Bangladesh, child labour often means long hours, hazardous conditions, and meagre pay—if any.
Socioeconomic shackles
The roots of child labour in Bangladesh run deep, entwined with poverty's stranglehold.
For many families, a child's earnings are the lifeblood that keeps them afloat.
In rural areas, children toil alongside their parents in fields, their days mirroring the relentless cycle of the sun.
Urban slums offer a different kind of drudgery - children weaving through traffic, hawking trinkets, or hunched over sewing machines in garment factories.
The work is often hazardous, exposing them to fumes, injuries, and long hours that steal their childhood.
Yet, the narrative of child labour is not one-dimensional.
There is a cultural acceptance woven into the fabric of society. Work is often seen as an instilled value, a way for children to learn responsibility and contribute to the family's well-being.
Some families genuinely believe they are offering their children a better future, a chance to escape the clutches of poverty. This belief, however flawed, underscores the desperation that fuels child labour.
The impact on these children, however, is undeniable.
Education, a fundamental right, becomes a distant dream. Their laughter is replaced by exhaustion, and their creativity is stunted by repetitive tasks.
They are robbed of the simple joys of childhood - playing with friends, exploring their world, and nurturing their potential. This not only hinders their individual development but also perpetuates the cycle of poverty for generations to come.
A multifaceted malevolence
The root causes of child labour in Bangladesh are multifaceted, stemming from deep economic and cultural contexts.
Poverty remains the primary driver. With nearly 20% of the population living below the national poverty line, many families depend on the additional income generated by their children to survive.
The dire need to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare forces children into the workforce at a young age.
Cultural factors also play a significant role. In many rural areas, child labour is normalised and even expected. Children are seen as economic assets who contribute to the family’s livelihood.
This cultural acceptance is intertwined with a lack of access to quality education.
Despite significant progress in increasing school enrollment rates, many children—particularly in rural and impoverished areas—still drop out early to work.
Hardened human faces against hardships
The effects and origins of child labour go beyond the numbers and are echoed in the human stories behind them.
Kawsar, an 11-year-old boy from Lakhsmipur in Noakhali, diligently cleans tables, clears plates, and refills water jugs at the canteen of Kabi Jasimuddin Hall of Dhaka University (DU).
His day, which begins at 7am, shows no signs of rest as he caters to the needs of hundreds of students.
Kawsar has to support his mother and two younger siblings after his father, a migrant worker in Saudi Arabia, stopped providing for them. The boy has to labour through three gruelling shifts daily: 7am to 10am, 11am to 3pm, and 7pm to 10pm, amounting to 10 hours in total and earning a mere Tk3,500 monthly, along with food and shelter.
Sadeka, is a 14-year-old girl who works in a garment factory in Dhaka. Each day, she spends up to 12 hours sewing clothes destined for Western markets.
Her small hands move deftly, but her eyes reveal a fatigue that belies her young age. Sadeka dreams of becoming an entrepreneur, but for now, her reality is defined by the relentless hum of sewing machines and the pressure to meet production quotas.
In the rural district of Tangail, 14-year-old Yasin works in the fields, helping his family cultivate rice.
The work is gruelling, especially during the monsoon season when the fields are flooded and leeches cling to his legs.
Despite the hardships, Yasin takes pride in supporting his family.
However, his labour comes at the cost of his education, and with it, the chance for a different future.
Efforts are on but not yielding much impact
The government of Bangladesh, along with various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and international bodies, has made concerted efforts to combat child labour.
The National Child Labour Elimination Policy 2010 aimed to eliminate hazardous child labour by 2021, and the country has ratified ILO conventions on the minimum age for employment and the worst forms of child labour.
On the global front, Bangladesh has committed to eliminating child labour by 2025, following its ratification of the ILO’s Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No 138).
However, enforcement remains a significant challenge.
Corruption, inadequate resources, and lack of coordination among agencies hinder the effective implementation of laws and policies.
Furthermore, the informal economy, where much of the child labour occurs, is difficult to regulate.
Innovative approaches are being explored to address the issue.
Conditional cash transfer programs that provide financial incentives for families to keep their children in school have shown promise.
The path to eradicating child labour in Bangladesh is fraught with challenges, but it is not without hope.
Sustainable solutions require a holistic approach that addresses the economic and cultural roots of the problem.
Improving access to quality education, enhancing social protection programmes, and fostering economic opportunities for adults can reduce the dependence on child labour.
Moreover, global consumers have a role to play.
Conscious consumerism—where buyers are aware of the conditions under which products are made—can drive demand for ethically produced goods.
Supporting fair trade initiatives and advocating for corporate social responsibility can put pressure on industries to eliminate child labour from their supply chains.
A call to action is a call for care
Child labour in Bangladesh is a complex issue intertwined with the country’s socio-economic fabric.
While significant strides have been made to address the problem, much work remains.
Cultural attitudes must shift alongside legal frameworks. Sustainable livelihood options for families are crucial.
The garment industry, a major driver of the economy, has a responsibility to ensure ethical labour practices.
Eradicating child labour in Bangladesh requires a collective effort.
It is about weaving a brighter future, thread by thread, where every child has the chance to dream, learn, and soar.
By understanding the human stories behind the statistics and addressing the root causes, society can work towards a future where every child in Bangladesh has the opportunity to learn, grow, and dream.
