Government working to abolish poverty and child labour: Minister

Law Minister Anisul Huq today said poverty remains the most potent reason for child labour and its eradication is impossible without abolition of poverty.

The government is working with all force to completely eliminate this menace and many welfare steps have been taken to abolish poverty, he said.

He was speaking as special guest to a function organised by the National Human Rights Commission at Hotel Sonargaon on the occasion of World Child Labour Day which was observed on June 12.

Minister Anisul told the function that this government’s relentless efforts to free children from this cruel situation has led to a drastic reduction in child labour of about 48 percent during the last decade.

“According to national child labour survey 2013, child labour is still prevalent in our society which is not an acceptable situation for us. The government is seriously continuing to take actions to redress the situation,” he said.

He said, “As a first step, in the labour law it has been clearly stated that children below the age of eighteen are prohibited to be employed in the hazardous sectors, which are identified in the act. In line with the international standard our law has also determined the minimum age for entry into work force at the age of 14 with the exception for 12-year-old and above only for light work”.

“Our government has also adopted a policy on domestic workers which sets the minimum age for domestic workers at age 14. The policy has made a human approach by stating that the work of child domestic worker should not in any way hamper education,” Anisul Huq added. 

President Md Abdul Hamid addressed as chief guest to the function with NHRC Chairman Kazi Reajul Huque in the chair.  State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Huque and senior lawyer Barrister M Amir Ul Islam also spoke as special guests.