Stop child labour
Today, throughout the world, around 215 million children work, many full-time. They do not go to school and have little or no time to play. Many do not receive proper nutrition or care. They are denied the chance to be children. More than half of them are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as slavery, forced labour, or illicit activities including drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.
They suffer significant growth deficits compared to school children. They grow up shorter and lighter, and their body size continues to be smaller even in adulthood. Many of them work under conditions that leave them alarmingly vulnerable to chemical and biological hazards. Child workers tend to develop muscular, chest and abdominal pain, headaches, dizziness, respiratory infections, diarrhoea and worm infection.
The main reason behind child labour is poverty. About 55 million people live below the poverty line in Bangladesh. Parents' perceptions greatly influence their children's participation in the labour force. The education system of the country in general does not provide the poor, disadvantaged children with any immediate prospects of better jobs or higher levels of income.
We urge the government to stop child labour.
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