Causes and consequences of child labour in Bangladesh: An in-depth study

Abstract

The concepts of child labour and child education are inversely linked with each other in terms of execution. Child labour does not allow child education and vice versa. Between the two types of economic ideologies normative approach promote child education but other ideology i.e. positive approach have preferred child labour. It is factual that, child labour, however, become a burden for every economy. It is a serious problem in any nation. Economy never accepts child labour and the high volume of child labour creates liability on economy. Any job of children always treated as the problem of underemployment through the labour market framework and all child work are strongly prohibited by ILO. The main aims of this study find out the basic causes of children are recognized as child labour and try to know the causes behind existence a negative relationship between child education and child labour. In Bangladesh, the volume of child labour is so high, near about 4.7 million children, age limit of 5-14 years of age were economically active and percentage of labour force participation rate was 13.4 in the year 2002-03 [National Child Labour Survey (NCLS)]. On the other hand, the figure of informal activities of children is higher than above figure. If we compare with South–Asia, our labour force participation rate is higher than rest of the nations. So policy maker should concentrate to ameliorate education of children and reduce child participation in economic activity as well as unpaid work. A nation has lost huge potential resource because of the employment activities of children. If a society desire to get qualified person, they must forgo the presence of child labour in economy. Every nation as well as family would like to make his or her children as a qualified person. Although many reasons are involved in child labour but poverty are the main reason and this cause mostly appearing in Bangladesh. Child labour engages in formal and informal sector in Bangladesh. Children are working mainly in rural areas, because most of the poor and vulnerable parents live in remote villages. They do not have enough ability to take all the responsibilities of their children. Majority of the parents can only afford to offer the food and lodging but they cannot afford the educational expenses of their children. But education is the basic right of a children and only education can make him or her resourceful person and be a good quality citizen as well. But in reality, poor parents get relief when their children earn some money and accomplish the family needs. There is no alternative way to develop our nation without improving human resource development. If we want to do so, our children should get proper education and training facilities which will bring up him or her to apply in our nation building activities. Though it is a long-run achievement and poverty creates obstacle to arrive at this destination. So we need increasing role and close monitoring of government to continue child education. Government has been taken different activities to do the same. We assess the government activities of child-education and find out a way, to keep in touch on education of children. Children are vulnerable from a very young age, with the risks for boys diminishing in their mid-teens as their physical strength increases. Overall, girls are much more at risk and children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable, as they are perceived to be easy to be victims. There are different types of child abuse in different countries. In many ways, a sexually abused child is abuse twice, by the perpetrator physically, and second by society, both psychologically and socially. The matter becomes even more traumatic because the child and his family have to observe forced “silence”on the matter. It may cause lots of bad effects among our children. We can reduce it by taking same steps, especially parents and government can play main role for reducing child abuse. It should be stop for our better society. The government of Bangladesh too appears to be recognizing the growing problem and has introduced tougher laws to prevent it, though its effective implementation is yet to be seen. We need such are society where the child get enough freedom which they actually deserve. Moreover we have to ensure an environment where they get the proper care and facility. This study attempts to focus on different issues, historical perspective, current situation, causes and consequences of child labour with special reference to Bangladesh.