The government has been relentlessly working to free the country from child labour within 2025 according to the target set under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) designed to end poverty by 2030. We think it would be a tough challenge for the government to achieve the target as coronavirus pandemic is threatening to push many children into the workforce.
Reportedly, in order to eradicate child labour, a total of nine strategic areas have been identified in the National Child Labour Elimination Policy-2010. This year the World Day Against Child Labour bears special significance as the United Nations has declared the year 2021 as International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour.
As many people, especially the low-income groups are struggling to survive during this crisis period, their children instead of reading book or joining online classes either are running after jobs or working in different fields.
The government should motivate poor
parents against child labour by
bringing them under social safety net
Apart from the government’s initiative, a massive social movement with participation of all the stakeholders including civil society, media, cultural activists, non-government organizations and others is a must to put an end to child labour.
In the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, on March 16 last year, the government closed all the educational institutions of the country to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Since then many poor parents are sending their children to work in order get financial supports from them. In this regard, government should motivate poor parents against child labour by bringing them under social safety net.
As we all want our children to grow up as worthy, qualified, dignified and responsible citizens, we must come together to fight on behalf of the betterment of our children. We believe Prime minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government will ensure education, safety and sound health of the country’s children during this Covid-19 pandemic.
