Child Labor in Bangladesh: Critical Analysis

Course Title: Legal Research Methodology Dissertation

Course Code: LLMF134

Supervised by

Prof. Dr. ABM. Mabbubul Islam

Dean and Chairman
Faculty of Law
Bangladesh Islami University (BIU)

Submitted for

Sahanaj Kazy
Program: LLM (Final)
Batch: 34th, Section: Female
ID. LLMFF34171008
Semester: Fall, 2017
Department of Law
Bangladesh Islami University (BIU)

Bangladesh Islami University (BIU)

Submission Date: 11th December, 2017
 Declaration

I am Sahanaj Kazy hereby declare that the report titled “Child Labor in Bangladesh:
Critical Analysis” is uniquely prepared by me under the supervision of Prof. Dr. ABM.
Mabbubul Islam, Dean and Chairman, Faculty of Law, Bangladesh Islami University (BIU).

The work I have presented does not breach any existing copyright and no portion of this
report is copied from any work done earlier for a degree or otherwise.

I also confirm that the report is only prepared to my academic requirement, not for any other
purpose.

________________
Sahanaj Kazy
Program: LLM (Final)
Batch: 34th , Section: Female
ID. LLMFF34171008
Semester: Fall, 2017
Department of Law
Bangladesh Islami University (BIU)
 Certification

This is to certify that the report on “Child Labor in Bangladesh: Critical Analysis” is
done by Shahanaj Kazy as an integral part to the requirement of Master of Law degree from
the Department of Law, Bangladesh Islami University.

The report can be accepted in terms of quality and form as directed by the university
authority.

_____________________
Prof. Dr. ABM. Mabbubul Islam
Dean and Chairman
Faculty of Law
Bangladesh Islami University (BIU)
 Acknowledgement

First of all, I am very much grateful to almighty Allah, who enables me to complete the
report without any harassment. I am also very much grateful of my Parents because they
always help & support for my study.

I would like to express my sincerest feeling of gratitude to Prof. Dr. ABM. Mabbubul
Islam, Dean and Chairman, Faculty of Law, Bangladesh Islami University (BIU), for
giving me such a nice topic for preparing an report.

Finally, I am also indebted to my parents for their constant support and encouragement
throughout my period of study.
 ABSTRACT

This study tries to present the socio-economic scenario of child labor in Bangladesh which
has in recent times attracted concerted attention not only in Bangladesh but also all over the
globe. Indeed, child labor is recognized as a considerable part of the existing market and by
the present write-up this statement has been upheld through a number of case studies. There
is no question regarding the indispensability of elimination of child labor from the social but
question arises whether it would bring good foray particular society such as Bangladesh.
Child labor problem is a socio-economic reality in the country which cannot be ignored;
hence steps have to be taken. At first to decrease child labor rather removing it diametrically
from the society. Itshould be remembered that if child labor was given out just now from the
country, then that would jeopardize the child laborers who earn their own bread or for the
families who depend on the child workers. This article attempts to search out the ways how
child labor can be decreased gradually and at the end of the paper these ways have been
presented as suggestions or recommendation.

The entire study is divided into seven chapters. The first chapter in a general introduction,
the second chapter deals with general concept, the third chapter deals with reasons behind
child labor, the fourth chapter deals with the effects of child labor, the five chapter deals
with the existing laws relating to child labor in Bangladesh, the six chapter deals with the
Government and non-government activities against child labor and the seven chapter deals
with the general conclusion.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

CHAPTER-1: GENEREL INTRODUCTION 1-5

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Statement of problem 1

1.3 Rationale of study 2

1.4 Objective of study 2

1.5 Methodology 2

1.6 Limitation of study 3

1.7 Literature review 3

1.8 Cauterization of study 4

1.9 Duration 4

1.10 Conclusion 5

Chapter 2: GENERAL CONCEPT 6-9

2.1 Introduction 6

2.2 What is child labor 7

2.3 Historical Background 8

2.5Child Labor Situation in Bangladesh 8

2.5 The worst Forms of child labor 9

2.6 Conclusion 9

Chapter 3: REASONS BEHIND CHILD LABOR 10-13

3.1 Introduction 10
3.2 Illiteracy and Ignorance 10
3.3 Urbanization as an illusory attraction 10
3.4 Demand of Child Labor by Employer 11
3.5 Absence of Programmed for Social Security 11
3.6 Child-Labor Relates with poverty 11
3.7 Child-Work Accepted by Parents 12
3.8 Conclusion 13
Chapter 4: THE EFFECTS ON CHILDREN 14-17
4.1 Introduction 14
4.2 Effects on Physical Development 14
4.3 Effects on Social Advancement 14
4.4 Effects on Mental Health 15
4.5 Effects on Socio-Economic Development 15
4.6 Effects of Moral Development 16
4.7 Intellectual Impact on Child 16
4.8 Overall Impact on Child Labor Situation in Bangladesh 17
4.9 Conclusion 17
Chapter 5: LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENTS AND CHILD LABOR
IN BANGLADESH 18-22
5.1 Introduction 18
5.2Laws Relating to Prohibition of Child Labor 19
5.2.1 The Mines Act, 1923 (Act No. IV of 1923) 19
5.2.2 The Children (Pledging of labor) Act, 1933 (Act No. XI of 1933) 19
5.2.3 The Employment of Children Act, 1938 (Act No. XXXVI of 1938) 19
5.2.4 The Road Transport Workers Ordinance, 1961 (Act No. XXVIII of 1961)20
5.2.5 The Tea Plantation Labor Ordinance, 1962 (Act No. XXXIX of 1962) 21
5.2.6 The Shops and Establishments Act, 1965 (E.P. No. VII of 1965) 21
5.2.7 The Factories Act, 1965 (Act No. VI of 1965) 21
5.3 Conclusion 22
CHAPTER 6: GOVERMENT AND NON GOVERMENT ACTIVITIES
AGAINST CHILD LABOR 23-29
6.1 Introduction 23
6.2 Cerement Government Policies & Programs to Eliminate the
Worst Forms of Child Labor 23
6.3 Non Government Activities against Child Labor 24
6.3.1 Child Labour Elimination Action Network (CLEAN) 24
6.3.2 Joint Child Labour Working Group (JCLWG) 25
6.3.3 Domestic Workers’ Right Network (DWRN) 25
6.3.4 Together With Working Children (TWC) 25
6.3.5 Understanding Children’ Work project (UCW) 25
6.3.6 Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum 26
6.4 UNICEF Activities 26
6.4.1 Providing access to education 26
6.4.2 Changing social norms 27
6.4.3 Strengthening legal protection against child labor 24
6.4.4 Providing services to working children 28
6.4.5 Building the capacity of child-protection workers 28
6.4.6 Social protection for vulnerable children 29
6.5 Conclusion 29
CHAPTER 7: Concluding Remarks 30-32
7.1 Introduction 30
7.2 Recommendation 30
7.3 Conclusion 32
Reference 33-34