It’s a Free Wrold…

Photo: Salman Saeed.

The plight of child workers in Bangladesh attracted the attention of quite a few philanthropists from both home and abroad. They initiated programs in the non-government sector to promote welfare of the working children. The most notable of them, a New Zealander, Mr. L.N. Cheyne, on his visit to war-ravaged Bangladesh in 1972,was particularly moved by the miseries of child workers in Dhaka, subsequently he founded an international NGO, underprivileged children’s educational Programs(UCEP),as a beacon hope for working children. UCEP, from a modest beginning as a provider of general education on a limited scale in Dhaka has by emerged as the leading national NGO promoting the cause of child workers in Bangladesh. UCEP pursues,” an integrated strategy of human resources development, incorporating general education, followed by skill training and employment placement services”. UCEP currently operates 3 general schools,3 technical schools,5 para-trade training centers and has total enrollment of around 22,000.each school operates three shifts, each of two and half hour’s duration to allow the working children to pursue education while working.

Photo: Salman Saeed.

Individually we can help a child or give some sympathy but can not solve the problems. The government should realize the gravity of the situation and ban the child labor, making it an offence under law. But no ban can work unless we can ensure that the children are provided with food, shelter and education. This would not only bring back their childhood but also secure the future of the nation.

We Should do the Right Thing for Them…

Photo: Subrina Khanam.

Child labour is a far more complex and difficult phenomenon than campaigners suggest. While play and significant learning are as necessary for children as nourishment and love, it does not follow that initiation into a useful social function at the same time necessarily militates against the best interests of children.

Society creates Child lobour

Photo:Internet

I think Children works for the social injustice and economic problem. Besides this, the more specific reasons for children may be poverty and family size (In Bangladesh, family size average 5 people. In families where children work, the father often work rickshaw puller or day labourer. Also the mother works other houses as a servant. For this reasons, they  are loosing interest in their children. This families moving here and there for looking different kind of new works. So, without stable income children are bound to work in small age. Poverty leads to quarrels, tension.), Migration (In general neglected children and different natural calamities are involved for migrated to the cities with their families or alone. The children work different way.)Child law and rights (child labour in bangladesh do not protect working children. Employers prefer children as they are cheap, productive and obedient. They working industrial sector. For reason they are demanding and incresing day by day for industrial sectors.) Also, illiteracy and family breakdown etc.

Far Away From Family but in a Family……

Photo: Subrina Khanam.

Child Domestic service is a widespread practice in Bangladesh. The majority of child domestics tend to be 12 and 17 years old. But children as young as 5 or 6 years old can also be found working. A survey of child domestic workers found that 38 percent were 11 to 13 years old and nearly 24 percent were 5 to 10 years old. Child domestics works long hours, getting up well before their employers and going to bed long after them. On 50 percent domestic workers work 12- 14 hours a day. Irrespective of their gender, Child domestic carry out all sorts of household work. Boys often perform tasks like going to the grocery, cleaning the drain, talking the garbage to roadside bins, washing the car and sell nuts etc. On the other hand, girls have to iron the cloths, attend phone calls and serves the guests. The child domestic workers are often the least paid in the society, their remuneration ranging from 80 taka to 400 taka per month.  In most of the cases, they hand over all their earnings to their parents, leaving nothing for themselves.

Family Responsebility

Photo: Internet.

I think working children are not the problem. The root cause of their families’ poverty and marginalization are the real villains and until the Centre is willing to face this reality and solve these issues, child labour will only increase with Bangladesh eagerness to expand its global market.

He Dreams For a New Beginning…

Photo: Subrina Khanam.

Child labour in Bangladesh can be eradicated only if its root causes are also addressed. Without strengthening both enforcement mechanisms and provisions for rehabilitation, this step has little meaning.

Can We Help Them?

Photo: Subrina Khanam.

What the children and their families need most is a humane approach. An approach that does not snatch away their chances at survival, but provides real viable alternatives that ensure that these families can protect, care for and provide for their children all that is needed for their healthy growth and development.

Hard Working Son

Photo: Kibria.

Children are also often found working in a variety of potentially hazardous occupations and sectors, including bidi (hand-rolled cigarette) factories, construction, leather tanneries, fisheries, automobile repair, welding, bangle-making, rickshaw-pulling, matches manufacturing, brick-breaking, book binding, and the garment industry.  In urban areas many children work as domestic servants, porters, and street vendors, and are vulnerable to sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation.  In addition, many children are also reported to be involved with criminal gangs engaged in arms and drug trading and smuggling.

They Risks Their Life

Photo: Salman.

Children do different types of work. Breaking bricks may cause damage to the fingers and for that a rubber made finger glove could be worn. Chips of brick may jump into eye and cause harm. Another job is welding. This work is inappropriate for children. When they work for welding, they use protective glass for the eye. Another work is motor mechanic. They are working with chemical and acid. Acid used in car battery. If this acid went into the eye than that would destroy the vision. Another work is carrying heavy load or bricks up the stairs. Some people said, they should not come into this type of works. Going up the stairs and getting the dried cloths from the roof was considered as hazardous. They felt this was dangerous.