01.

Executive Summary
Preparing a case study provides a practical knowledge that helps a lot in future specially in practical work field. This case is about child labor in Bangladesh and we have selected two sectors as assigned by our course teacher. The sectors are a) ship breaking child labor, and b) child labor in garments. We have also provided existing laws related child labor in Bangladesh, and the requirements of these laws and implementation of these laws and also the recommendations to the problems.

02. Data Collection
There are two sources for collecting data. They arePrimary Sources Secondary sources

Primary Sources:
In this report no information is collected from primary sources

Secondary sources:
Newspaper. Internet.

Page | 1

In many developing countries like Bangladesh. or school-related work). It is quite common for children of all types of societies to be engaged in some forms of occupation depending on the economic structure and level of development. This minimum age depends on the country and the type of work involved. The Child Labor issue is one of the great concerns throughout the world. it is considered inappropriate or exploitative if a child below a certain age works (excluding household chores. In fact. have adopted minimum ages varying from 14 to 16. except for the agricultural industry where children as young as 12 years of age can work in the fields for an unlimited number of non-school hours. Child Labor has been generally perceived more as a problem of poor developing countries like Bangladesh which is consistently facing Challenges against poverty. An employer is usually not permitted to hire a child below a certain minimum age. rising unemployment. in a family shop. natural disaster and so on. States ratifying the Minimum Age Convention adopted by the International Labor Organization in 1973. This practice is considered exploitative by many international organizations and is illegal in many countries. and with the emergence of the concepts of workers' and rights. Child Labor in Bangladesh Child labor refers to the employment of children at regular and sustained labor. of the country concerned. high population growth.03. Child labor was employed to varying extents through most of history. the phenomenon is not connected to any particular country or culture. but entered public dispute with the advent of universal schooling. Such as. Page | 2 . with changes in working conditions during the industrial revolution. Child labor laws in the United States set the minimum age to work in an establishment without restrictions and without parents' consent at age 16.

In 20 years about 400 workers have been killed and seriously injured 6000 people according to Bangladeshi media. without stable income children are bound to work in small age. Other accidents are crushed by falling steel beams and plates and electric shocks. In general neglected children and different natural calamities are involved for migrated to the cities with their families or alone. On an average they get 50-60 taka per day for their efforts. productive and obedient. For this reasons. Besides this. If anyone lost his/her job in this site. the fathers often work as rickshaw puller or day laborer. the more specific reasons for children may be poverty and family size in Bangladesh average 5 persons. It is a dirty and dangerous occupation. Explosions of leftover and fumes in the tanks are the prime cause of accidents of the yards. they are losing interest in their children. It is a very hard and difficult work for every kind of age’s people. lack of job security etc Page | 3 . one worker dies in the yards a week and everyday a worker is injured. Ship breaking is in two categories. It is a replaceable works. Poverty leads to quarrels. The children work mainly as gas cutters assistants and move small iron pieces from one place to another. In families where children work. Child labor laws in Bangladesh do not protect working children. less than minimum wages. Sector 1: Ship Breaking Child Labor Ship breaking carries a very real risk to life. On average. One is intoxication by dangerous substances and accidents on the plots. use of child labor. There are no educational facilities. They are working in industrial sectors.Why Children Work? We think that Children work for the social injustice and economic problem. The children work in a different way. he/her is waiting to be replaced him due to the lack of work. These families are moving here and there for looking different kind of new works. So. Children also work in this occupation. For this they are demanding and increasing day by day for industrial sectors. Another accident is falling from the ship. In this job workers do not get money properly. They also do the work in the night shift. Employers prefer children as they are cheap. Also the mother works in other houses as a servant. tension.

Figure: Ship breaking child labor Figure: Ship breaking child labor Page | 4 .

in garments sector they have physical. not access information. job safety. Page | 5 . But she is working for her living. Also. Many workers are woman. many people of ages and uneducated people works. because many bad people tease them. social. They use many bad languages. in garments sector many girls are not comfort for their work. not clear in self identity. When foreign buyers enter the factory. life option and planning. many garments owner give not their salary on time.Sector 2: Child Worker in Garments Child work is a crime. But some of the garments owner gives them those works to do. She stays with her aunt’s house. many small ages child are scared and hidden under the table. children are working in garments. Sometimes. she works for her family. In garments. it's not sufficient money for her living.She said. For this reasons they faces money problem. After taking her salary. In garments sector minimum wages is fixed around 950 taka. She earns money 2500 taka in a month. But for poverty and different reasons. They are so poor. We talked one of children workers . at first she give some money to the aunty for the house rent and feeding cost. They are hopeless. many children learned and sometimes they do crime. They are not allowed to working in garments. she saved few for her and sends very few money to her family. Also. been locked up in the toilet for few hours. because they are hard worker. Then she said. Then. After hearing this.

Figure: Child worker in garments Page | 6 .

Factory maintains a safe. Factory pays at least minimum wage as per the current minimum wages ordinance. Factory does not force to work anybody. sexual or verbal abuse. clean and healthy environment. every worker’s working environment should be satisfying and preferable for business. Factory maintains reasonable employee works hour based on the limits on regular and over time hours allowed by local laws. Factory follows the factory law about child labor and does not take any child labor. any physical. Factory continuously monitors production process and takes step to the negative impacts Page | 7 . it may be good for workers. which are under 18 years of ages. free giving treatment to workers. Also. Factory recognizes and respects the right of employee to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Factory does not does not use threats. religion. If any factory follows these policies. gender. age and marital status. Factory pays wages and benefits without regard to race.Figure: Child workers in Bangladesh Working Environment for Children We think. Also provide yearly bonus. nationality. increments and some entertainment things like picnic. color.

The Bangladesh Labor Act. Factories Act. It provides for Prohibition on engagement of children (not exceeding fourteen years of age) and adolescents (over fourteen years of age but not exceeding 18 years) in any profession or institution (sec. if the child workers are school goers their working hours have to be fixed in a way that their school time is not hampered. 42). Although children are not to be engaged in any profession or institution. 1938. 1933. they may be engaged in some light work that is not hazardous to their health and physical growth and which does not disrupt their education (sec. 2006 This law has replaced the Employment of Children's Act. 34)  Adolescents can be engaged in a profession or institution subject to certification by a registered practitioner regarding his/her capability to carry out the particular work (sec. Page | 8 . 39). 44). on completion of twelve years. 1965 and The Children (Pledging of Labor) Act. lubricating or processing any machinery when the switch is working (sec.  Prohibition of adolescents from employment in deep soil or water activities (sec.  An adolescent worker shall not handle any machinery unless he is fully aware of the machinery and the precautions needed to handle the same (sec. 40). In such cases. 34(2)(ka))  No adolescent worker to be engaged in cleaning.

48). put children at risk of harm under supervision of a care giver or institution (sec. Chapter 4 and 6). 52). 6). 17).  Juvenile courts to be housed in a building or room different from that in which the ordinary sittings of the Court are held (sec.The Children Act.and specifies the empowerment of children as its first guiding principle. support rehabilitation (sec. 31. conducting any social inquiry (sec. character and probation.  Probation Officers to work in the best interests of the child in. 53). 13.3. ] Page | 9 .332.6). 15. rescuing children from harmful situations and escort them to the juvenile court (sec. Its main objectives are to ensure children's protection and treatment. assess children's age.c).2) and probation officers (sec. 9.  Police stations to grant bail to children (sec. 31. 3.d). 32). separate from other criminal courts. circumstance. 50). if necessary send the child to a certified institute for development (sec.3.  Police to be responsible for keeping children in a safe place (sec. protect confidentiality (sec. 7). reporting to the court (sec. which are to be implemented through the following mechanisms Juvenile courts. 49). hold separate trials for children and adults (sec. rescuing them from harmful situations (sec. supervising children in probation (sec. as appropriate. 50). It imposes various duties and obligations upon the state. 10. not to impose imprisonment or death sentence except in exceptional circumstances (sec. 32. 53). discharge child after due admonition or release on probation under probation officer's or parent/guardian's supervision (sec.both as victims and as accused . to be established to protect all children (victims and accused) (sec. 51). protection and treatment of children . 32). 1974 This is the principal law that provides for care. 15). informing parents (sec. officer's report (sec.

 Provide recreation and library facilities in all schools. as given belowPoverty:  Ensure livelihood opportunities for parents of poor children.  Arrange primary and vocational education for street children. sanitation facilities. Education:  Offer free. Page | 10 .  Schools to arrange micro-nutrient rich meals for students.  Make children conscious of their own protection. They made a number of useful recommendations to redress their conditions. Protection/Security:  Rehabilitate and integrate children in conflict with the law in society. etc.Children's Recommendations In preparing its country strategy paper.  Improve training of teachers to ensure quality education. compulsory and quality education for all children.  Campaign for safe water. Food Security and Nutrition:  Control price of food and other essentials and prevent adulteration of nutrient-rich food items.  Reform and enforce child-protection related laws.  Child-friendly learning environment with safe drinking water.  Mandate a particular agency to provide adequate protection. Moulvibazar.  Offer access to development opportunities. SCUK held consultations with around 30 children from Kurigram.  Make parents aware of the need for protection of children.  Promote basic rights of the children of Adibashis.

 Regular snacks for children at the work place..  Effective laws. dances. songs. with qualified doctors and nurses.  Employers of domestic child workers to be responsible for their protection.  Adequate and regular payment of wages to working children. Health and Treatment:  Children's hospitals in every district.  Doctors should educate patients about their health.  Clothes to be distributed to flood-affected children.  Medical treatment facilities at the work place. Recreation:  Recreation opportunities.Child labor:  Education facilities for working children at the work place. sanitary and healthy shelters for homeless children Clothing:  Uniforms and warm clothes to be provided to poor children and street children free of cost.  Free medical treatment for working children.  Improved quality of medical treatment.  Set up flexible learning centers for education of working children. awareness of laws and legal support for working children. etc. Shelter:  Ensure safe. Page | 11 . acting.  Only light tasks to be given to children. particularly games.  Facilities for games and sports for all children  Popularize the importance of recreation for a child's mental development amongst parents and teachers. for working children.

life expectancy. particularly with respect to the infant mortality rate. primary school enrollment and poverty reduction. Conclusion Bangladesh has made significant progress in some of its social development indicators. Page | 12 . active participation of civil society and a growing recognition about the plight of children.04. the issue of child rights and child protection is gaining greater prominence in Bangladesh. This is expected to lead to a more widespread realization of child rights. involvement of the judiciary and media. total fertility rate. In spite of these positive developments. the realization of child rights and child remain challenging concerns. With increasing political and social commitment.