Freed from hazardous jobs for schooling

It was a simple but solemn occasion that will change their life and be an eye opener to many in eliminating child labour in the country.

"I am very happy", a delighted 12 year-old Uzzal Ali told this correspondent after receiving a packet of books and other education articles from lawmaker Reza Ahmed Bachhu Mollh at the function.

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"I was compelled to go to Bidi factory as my father was unable to bear my education expenses.

"Now problem is gone. My father bought a 'Nasiman' (an automated vehicle fitted with an irrigation machine engine) with loan from SETU", said Uzzal, son of Kanai Mollah of Dafadarpara village in Daulatpur upazila.

A similar feeling was expressed by Nazmul, 8, son of Habibur Rahman of Charsadipur; Bithi Khatun, 11, daughter of Saheb Ali of Koldiar and Rozina, 12, daughter of Pacha Sheikh of Sonaikundi.

The function held at an auditorium at Daulatpur upazila was attended by parents of the children.

It was addressed by, among others, Daulatpur Upazila Education Officer Tosaddek Hossain, ILO Social Monitor Jaganmoy Projesh Biswas, Bangladesh Trade Union Centre (BTUK) Assistant Programme Coordinator Ahsan Nabab, SETU Executive Director M M Kader, teacher Abdus Siddiq and Abu Bakar Saiddiq, Executive Director of Achal, another local NGO. Teacher Arzun Kumar Sarkar was in the chair. SETU organised the function.

The NGO will provide the children one-year free education with assistance from ILO (International Labour Organization) and IPCL (International Programme for Elimination of Child Labour).

In March, SETU did a laudable job by taking out 200 children from Nasir Bidi Factory and providing them with books and their parents with soft loans for income generating activities.

According to survey made by SETU, there are about 3000 child labourers in eight bidi factories in the district.

Earlier, the NGO took out 1752 children from Bidi factories and got them enrolled at schools after orientation at pre-school centres run by it.

It runs 28 pre-school centres in the district to make children prepare for school.

Teenagers of 13-17 age group, taken out of bidi factories and tobacco processing units, are trained in different vocations like tailoring, paper bag making, nursery raising, electrical work. SETU has rehabilitated at least 1054 teenagers so far.

"We have also taken initiatives to bring 1551 poor parents of the children under income generating programmes," M A Kader told this correspondent. Tk18, 57,000 loans have been distributed among 466 of them, he said.

ILO Social Monitor Jaganmoy Projesh Biswas said, to create awareness against hazardous jobs in tobacco industries, they have formed 53 'mother groups' and holding regular meetings. These groups have accumulated Tk 3,53,220 savings, he said.

SEPU is also holding discussion meetings with Bidi factory owners and local people, organising street drama and distributing leaflets to create awareness, Jaganmoy said.