World Day Against Child Labour was observed in Khulna and Rajbari districts and Kaliganj Upazila of Gazipur District on Monday with the theme “Say no to child labour, ensure a decent work environment”.
The Day is observed globally every year on June 12. However, due to special circumstances, Bangladesh observed the day on June 29 this year.
KHULNA: A discussion was held in the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office on Monday marking the World Day Against Child Labour.
Speaking as president of the function, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hoore Jannat said government and non-government organisations, along with people from all walks of life, must work in a coordinated manner to eliminate child labour.
She said children engaged in hazardous work are exposed to risks of injury and even death. Poverty, family crises and the adverse effects of drug abuse often force many children into labour, she added.
The DC also said financial assistance and merit scholarships would be arranged for children from poor and vulnerable families to encourage them to continue their education.
She stressed the need to inform people about services and facilities available from different government departments and called for coordinated efforts by all departments and stakeholders to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Additional DC (General) Bitan Kumar Mondal, MASS Executive Director Advocate Shamima Sultana Shilu, Sramik Dal Convener Md Mojibur Rahman and World Vision Assistant Manager Liton Kumar Mondal, among others, addressed the meeting.
Deputy Inspector General of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), Khulna Divisional Office, Santaj Billah delivered the welcome speech, while Assistant Inspector General Md Shahinur Rahman presented a keynote paper.
The event was jointly organised by the Khulna District Administration and DIFE with support from World Vision.
Earlier, a colourful rally was brought out from the Khulna Collectorate premises that paraded through different roads before ending at the same venue.
Under SDG target 8.7, Bangladesh remains committed to eliminating child labour. Employment of children in the 43 hazardous sectors declared by the government is completely prohibited by law.
RAJBARI: On the occasion, the district administration and the DIFE, Faridpur jointly organised the programme on Monday morning, which was chaired by DC Afroza Parveen. Additional DC Tarif Ul Hasan, Assistant Commissioner SM Raihanul Islam, Assistant Inspector General, DIFE, Md Manjurul Haque, Labour Inspector Md Amirul Islam and others were present as special guests.
The speakers said that a child with physical malnutrition becomes a victim of various types of physical and mental abuse while doing unwanted labour. Family neglect also makes them forget about studying. On the other hand, they go astray due to social degradation.
In her speech, the chief guest said, “Due to financial hardship, family conflicts, and various social complications, children are forced to run to financial institutions to alleviate poverty. Let us all extend our hands of cooperation for their education and rehabilitation.”
THAKURGAON: The Day was observed in Thakurgaon on Monday with rallies, discussions and awareness programmes aimed at promoting collective efforts to eliminate child labour.
The day-long programme was organised jointly by the district administration and the DIFE.
A rally was brought out from the DC office premises at noon. It paraded through the town's main streets before returning to the starting point.
Later, a discussion was held in the conference room of the DC office with DC Mohammad Rafiqul Haque in the chair.
Among others, Assistant Inspector General (General) of DIFE Shafiqul Islam, Labour Inspector Abu Naim Quraishi, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Services Al Mamun, District Primary Education Officer Mofazzal Hossain, Thakurgaon district BNP Organising Secretary Mamunur Rashid, former general secretary of Thakurgaon District Reporters' Unity and General Secretary of the Thakurgaon unit of National Journalists' Association Asaduzzaman Asad, Thakurgaon District Sramik Oikya Parishad Publicity Secretary Md Nazrul Islam, and ESDO representative Md Shamim Hossain spoke at the meeting.
The speakers called on all sections of society to play an active role in preventing child labour and discussed measures to make Thakurgaon free from child labour in hazardous sectors.
Government officials, labour leaders, journalists, NGO representatives, child labour survivors and people from different professions attended the programme.
As part of the observance, DIFE's Dinajpur office is also conducting a week-long awareness campaign to promote the elimination of child labour, officials said.
KALIGANJ, GAZIPUR: The Kaliganj Upazila Administration and the Upazila Department of Social Services have organised two important day-long programmes to raise public awareness about the eradication of child labour and to make beggars self-reliant through self-employment.
A colourful rally was brought out from the Upazila Parishad premises on the occasion of the Day on Monday morning. Later, a discussion meeting was held in the Upazila Parishad conference room. This time the theme was “Say no to child labour, ensure a decent working environment.”
Upazila Nirbahi Officer ATM Kamrul Islam chaired the discussion meeting. Upazila Social Service Officer Afroza Begum and others participated in the programme.
The speakers said that in addition to proper implementation of the law, collective awareness of the family and society is essential to build a child labour-free society. They called on everyone to work together to ensure the right of every child to education, safety and growth in a decent environment.
Meanwhile, on the same day, at noon, three beneficiaries were handed over the keys of three battery-powered auto-rickshaws worth a total of Tk 65,000 under the 'Beggar Rehabilitation and Alternative Employment' programme.
