Editor's Pick

How old Bengali advertisements sold the dream of fair skin

4 July 2026, 00:00 AM In Focus

Why Bangladesh can’t ignore Myanmar’s diplomatic comeback

5 July 2026, 00:00 AM Geopolitical Insights

America at 250 and Bangladesh’s strategic moment

5 July 2026, 00:00 AM Geopolitical Insights

Is Bangladesh ready for the future of work?

4 July 2026, 00:00 AM Big Picture

The forgotten history of football in Bangladesh

3 July 2026, 00:15 AM In Focus

Child Labour

'Ratify ILO convention'

22 April 2010, 18:00 PM

METROPOLITAN

Staff Correspondent

Speakers at a seminar yesterday underscored the need for ratifying the International Labor Organisation (ILO) Convention concerning the minimum age for admission to employment to eliminate child labour. ILO Convention 138 pursues a national policy designated to ensure the effective abolition of child labour, yet total eradication of child labour is unrealistic at this moment due to poverty. The observations came at a national seminar on 'Importance of Ratification of ILO Convention 138 to Eliminate Child Labour in Bangladesh' organised by Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF) at Biam Foundation in the city. While presenting the keynote paper, Abdul Hye Mondal, senior research fellow, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), said the ILO convention recognises and addresses three major concerns about child labour - protection of children, children's development and economic and labour market impacts on child labour. "Consequently, it contributes to healthy growth of the disadvantaged children at work and eventually to growth of full-blown labour force, which is central to national development," he added. Speaking as the chief guest, Md Nurul Haque, secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, said initiatives have been taken to create proper ground for ratification of ILO 138. A national policy on eradication of child labour has also been devised with a view to eliminating child labour from the country. Sophea Mar, chief technical adviser, ILO Bangladesh, said there are policies and strategies that preserve child rights, but those need to be implemented and government and non-government organisation work together to this end. Mahmudul Kabir, country director, TdH-Netharlands, said only ratification does not have any merit, rather its implementation is more important to stamp out child labour from the country. “Investment for children should be increased for making a change of the current situation of child labor in the country”, he added. Edward Thomas Espay, country director, Plan Bangladesh, and Wahida Banu, chairperson of BSAF, also spoke.