CHILD LABOUR – A CURSE

 CHILD LABOUR – A CURSE

Ever wonder why a ten-year-old boy works late into the night selling bread when he ought to be sleeping in order to get ready for school the following day? If you have not yet completed it, then...Indeed, I have. About 9:00 p.m., as I was leaving my family's house, a child suddenly followed us, asking, "Would you like some bread? I'm selling it." I turned back right away, and the sight that met my eyes infuriated me. I stood there attempting to take it all in. "What is a kid doing working at these late hours here?" I asked someone who was with us. He ought to be sleeping at home." I honestly believed this individual was as outraged as I was at the time, but it's obvious that this was not the case, thus the response I got was not what I had anticipated. This touched my heart so much. It dawned on me then that a lot of us frequently overlook issues until they turn into something "normal". However, what's the deal? My inherent urge to try to address child labor was reawakened by it. Child labour is a tragic reality that continues to plague our world, robbing children of their childhood and potential. 

It's a common question to hear, "Why is child labor growing every day?" Youngsters labor because it is necessary for them to survive and support their families, and unethical adults frequently take advantage of this weakness. It is profoundly embedded in social and cultural customs and attitudes. Without a doubt, the biggest factor pushing kids into the workforce is poverty. According to the experts, the main reasons for the emergence of child labour in bigger cities are unhealthy family life and economic deprivation, families are drawned by financial difficulties cannot cope with the increasing demand of their children and sometimes even fail to provide them with adequate nutrition. That's why children search for their own source of money because of this. One further significant factor that the scientists have identified is the social and economic situation of a country.

Unfortunately, Child labour remains a widespread issue in Bangladesh as well, with a large number of children being forced to work in a dangerous conditions. It is affecting their physical, emotional and educational well-being. It is a curse that deprives children of their right to education, health and a safe environment.  The practice of child labour not only violates basic human rights but also it leads to a everlasting cycle of poverty and inequality. Children who are forced to work are denied the opportunity to pursue education. Without access to education, these children are likely to remain trapped in low-paying and dangerous jobs. Many children are forced to work in factories, fields and other areas where they are exposed to long hours, hazardous conditions and meager wages. Children as young as 10 or 12 years old are often found working in garment factories where they are forced to work for long hours like 7-8 hours per day. These children face a lack of safety, a bundle of challenges and limited opportunities for advancement. Child labour can cause both short term and long term as other adverse experiences in childhood  such as impaired brain development, poor physical and mental health, lower skills, poor school achievement, poor socioeconomic status in adulthood.  The mental health of child laborers is also at risk as they are deprived of the care, support and opportunities for growth that every child deserves. 

The present scenario of child labour in Bangladesh is really alarming. According to a UNICEF report, certain groups of children are more likely to work than others, for instance boys include about three-quarters of all working children. Almost one in five children aged 5-14 are child laborers in slums, and of these, only 25 percent attend school. Due to societal problems, situations make children vulnerable and thus they fall for the victim of trafficking, abuse, exploitation and many kinds of violence. The following scenario of child labour has presented the prevailing situation of Bangladesh child labour: 

"Child labor is a visible part of everyday life in Bangladesh: young children serve at roadside tea stalls, and weave between cars selling goods to motorists. Other children work in jobs that are hidden from view, such as domestic work, which makes monitoring and regulation difficult. On average, children work 106 Social Change (ISSN : 1997 - 938X) Volume 8, No.1, 2018 28 hours a week and earn 222 taka (3.3 USD) a week. Many of the jobs that children in Bangladesh perform are considered 'hazardous', and put their physical and mental development at risk. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concern in 2009 that many Bangladeshi children continue to work in five of the worst forms of child labor, namely welding, auto workshops, road transport, battery recharging and tobacco factories . The Committee also raised concerns about the lack of mechanisms to enforce child labor laws or monitor working conditions, and insufficient public awareness about the negative effects of child labor" (UNICEF, 1-2) https://ypsa.org/ypsa/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Child-Labor-in-Bangladesh-and-its-Social-Impact.pdf 

 

In my personal experiences, I saw many children who are underage working in the factories, garment industries, steel shops, glass making shops. They are unwillingly working day by day in the hope of getting some good exchange rates. But some immoral people take advantage of their vulnerability and make them work 7-8 hours in a day. While doing these types of risky work they often suffer from many minor to major injuries. One time in my neighborhood, I heard a 11 year old boy who used to work  in a steel machine shop got severely injured which led him to sudden death.  Maybe he was working in a subconscious mind and suddenly his hand was chopped off by a steel processing machine. He was bleeding profusely but in my utter shock I heard none of the adults helped him to take him to hospital. He died because of the irresponsibility and immorality of the adults and lackness of safety measures. Not only him, thousands of young boys and girls are suffering each day because of excessive labor pressure. They also want to grow up just like other children living in our society. But this simple and basic right is being violated by the critical societal and economic condition of our country. 

It is crucial for society to come together to solve the problem, protect the rights and well-being of all children. Government, businesses, civil society organizations and individuals all have a role to play in addressing this pressing issue. Education is the key tool in the fight against child labour. By ensuring that all children have access to quality education, we can empower them to break free from the cycle of poverty and exploitation. Bangladesh enacted the Labor Act in 2006, which includes a chapter on child labor. On 12 March 2001, the GoB ratified the ILO Convention No. 182 concerning the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. The government enacted child labour related laws and policies such as The Labour Act, The Children Act 2013, National Plan of Actions for Children (NPA), The National Child Labour Elimination Policy (NCLEP) etc. In conclusion, child labour is a curse that must be eradicated in order to protect the rights and well-being of all children. It is imperative that we come together as society to control the issue and create a better future for the children.