Over 38,000 children work in 5 hazardous sectors across Bangladesh: BBS

Infographics: TBS

A survey of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) found that 38,006 children, aged between 5 to 17 years, are working in five hazardous sectors across the country.

The BBS conducted the survey in five out of 43 sectors declared hazardous by the government. 

The survey titled "Establishment-based Sector-wise Working Children Survey-2023" was formally published at the BBS Auditorium in Dhaka on Thursday (14 March). Alongside, the BBS also released another report titled "National Child Labour Survey 2022."

According to the Establishment-based Sector-wise Working Children Survey, which was conducted in June 2023, among the five sectors, 24,923 children work in automobile workshops while 5,281 children work in the leather shoe industry, 4,099 in welding or gas burner mechanic workshop, 2,805 in local tailoring or garment stitching, and 898 children are involved in dry fish production.

Among all working children in these sectors, 35.7% reside in rural areas while 64.3% live in urban areas, it reveals.

Approximately 19.1% of boys and 7.7% of girls are engaged in the task of carrying, pushing, or pulling heavy loads, the survey shows.

It also reveals that 20.2% of children are exposed to conditions involving fire, hot machinery, or dangerous electric equipment, while 31.1% of others work in settings where dust, sand, smoke, or fumes can hinder their breathing and visibility. 

Some 14.8% of children work extended hours in the sun without breaks, and a smaller percentage of 3.9% is exposed to pesticides and other chemicals, it shows.

The survey also shows children working in these five sectors, work on average 9.4 hours every day. More than half of establishments do not follow safety provisions, it shows. Among the working children, less than half get free food from the establishments, reveals the survey.

Some 51.4% of establishments in the five hazardous sectors pay child workers a monthly wage of Tk5,000 or less, while 28.7% of these establishments offer wages of Tk10,000 or less, and only 1.4% provide higher salaries or wages, shows the survey.

National Child Labour Survey 2022

According to the National Child Labour Survey 2022, there are 35.4 lakh working children aged 5-17, with 17.6 lakh not in child labour and 17.8 lakh in child labour, including 10.07 lakh engage in hazardous sectors. 

Among the 17.8 lakh child labourers in the country, the Chattogram division has the highest number with 6.4 lakh. Dhaka division follows with 3.4 lakh. The remaining divisions have lower numbers: Rangpur (2.2 lakh), Sylhet (1.4 lakh), Rajshahi (1.4 lakh), Khulna (1.3 lakh), Mymensingh (90,000), and Barishal (70,000).

The number of male child labourers (13.7 lakh) outnumbers female child labourers (4 lakh).

What experts say

Attending the publication ceremony of the two surveys as chief guest, Planning Minister Shahiduzzaman Sarker said the government has set a target to eradicate child labour by the year 2025. "In this regard, the cooperation of development partners and everyone's assistance is necessary."

ILO Country Director in Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen, who attended the programme as a special guest, emphasised the need to increase investment in education to eradicate child labour. Besides, he highlighted the importance of adopting new policies and initiatives to eliminate child labour. 

Educationist and social activist Rasheda K Choudhury said giving importance to education is crucial to eliminating child labour