The World Day Against Child Labour is observing on Monday (June 12). The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the first World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 as a way to highlight the plight of children engaged in child labour.
Observed on June 12th, the day is intended to serve as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labour.
This year the global theme of the day is `Social justice for all: End child labour`. Various organizations of children and workers around the world are holding various programs in view of the day.
The day is also being celebrated in Bangladesh with various events.
Natural calamities like floods, droughts, floods and earthquakes are happening all over the world. Such incidents and accidents are pushing children towards manual labour. Besides, child labor is increasing day by day due to ignorance about the evils of this.
The government is taking various steps to stop child labor in Bangladesh. School going children are being given various benefits including cash, food to be abstained from this curse.
Besides, the National Action Plan 2021-25 has been formulated with the aim of freeing the country from all forms of child labor by 2025 to achieve the SDG goals. `National Child Labor Welfare Council` is working to implement this action plan. Rehabilitation of underprivileged street children and development programs for children with special needs are being implemented. Bangladesh has ratified the UN Charter on the Rights of the Child and the ILO Convention on Hazardous Child Labour.
According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Child Labor Survey-2003, the number of children engaged in labor in Bangladesh was about 3.2 million (32 lakh). Due to the timely action taken by the government, the number of children engaged in labor has reduced to 1.7 million (17 lakh) in 2023, according to the Child Labor Survey.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1974 made children`s law and primary education compulsory for the development of children. He upholds the rights of children in the constitution as well. Government has formulated the `National Child Labor Elimination Policy-2010` with the aim of eliminating child labour. Besides, `National Child Policy-2011`, `Child Act-2013`, `Child Marriage Restraint Act-2017` and `Domestic Workers Protection and Welfare Policy-2015` have been formulated to ensure the development and protection of children.
During the International Labour Conference, ILO will hold a high-level panel on 12 June, which will highlight examples of how ILO constituents have followed up on their commitments and how these are important steps towards increasing social justice.
