On this International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, it is important to remember the millions of child workers in Bangladesh whose labor often goes unseen and unacknowledged. As the world commemorates the rights and struggles of workers, it is crucial to shine a light on the plight of these young individuals who are forced to work in factories, workshops, and fields instead of attending school.
According to the latest National Child Labour Survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, approximately 1.78 million children between the ages of five and 17 are engaged in child labor in the country. Shockingly, over 1.07 million of these children are involved in hazardous work, putting their health and well-being at risk. These figures represent a 4.5 percent increase in child labor over the past decade, with the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbating the situation further.
The financial strain caused by the pandemic has led to over 511,000 children dropping out of school in 2022, many of whom have been pushed into the workforce. The inability of struggling families to afford secondary education costs is a major factor driving children out of school and into hazardous sectors such as motor vehicle repair, footwear and garment manufacturing, iron and steel casting, and domestic work.
Urban areas bear the brunt of child labor, with around 64.3 percent of child workers in hazardous jobs residing in cities and towns. Slums and informal settlements often witness children toiling alongside adults in unsafe and unhealthy working conditions.
A recent report by the Asia News Network revealed that nearly 25,000 children work in vehicle repair, 5,000 in footwear manufacturing, and thousands more in industries such as metal casting, tanneries, and toxic waste recycling. The invisibility of this labor, particularly in domestic work, makes it challenging to monitor and address effectively.
Despite laws prohibiting hazardous work for children under 18, enforcement remains weak, especially in the informal sector where most child labor occurs. The US Department of Labor’s report has highlighted that Bangladeshi children are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including sex work and dangerous tasks in industries like garment production and leather processing.
In light of these alarming statistics, the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) has put forth key recommendations to combat child labor in Bangladesh. These include advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, strict enforcement of child labor laws, a complete ban on hazardous child labor, harsher penalties for violators, and increased collaboration between the government and organizations to prevent child exploitation.
As we reflect on the significance of workers’ rights this May Day, let us not forget the youngest and most vulnerable members of our workforce. It is imperative that we work together to ensure that every child in Bangladesh has the opportunity to receive an education and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment, rather than being forced to labor in hazardous conditions.
