Adviser Sharmin S Murshid today took part a photo session at FDC on the occassion of observing World Day Against Child Labour 2025. Photo: PID

DHAKA, June 21, 2025 (BSS) - Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmin S Murshid today said collective efforts from everyone, including family, society, media, industry and the state are needed to eliminate child labour.

"Today's children are future of the nation," she told a shadow parliament debate competition on 'Debate for Democracy' to protect child labour organized by Laobour and Employment Ministry at Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) here.

Sharmin said the United Nations had declared the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1959, which is divided into four parts. Currently, the law of Bangladesh has recognized children up to the age of 18, she added.

But currently, she said, child labor is increasing day by day in the country. The reasons for child labour shown in this study titled 'Status of Child Labour in Bangladesh' include extreme poverty, lack of education, family insecurity, fatherlessness, natural disasters, etc, she added. 

According to a survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and ILO, she said there are 45 types of hazardous work in the workplace, of which children participate in 41. Those who work as housekeepers are under the age of 16, she said. 

According to UNICEF, the adviser said 86 percent of housekeepers are girls.

Sharmin said, "The work of collecting statistics on street children has already started through the Ministry of Social Welfare. A database will be created and they will be brought to work-oriented places according to their qualifications. Along with the government, the collective efforts of everyone can end child labour."

Begum Badrunnesa Government Women College and Dhaka International University participated in the debate competition. 

Later, the adviser presented cheques to the champion and runner-up teams, along with trophies, crests and certificates.

Ministry of Labor and Employment Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Senior Secretary Momtaz Ahmed, Secretary of the Cabinet Division Zaheda Parveen, and Labor Administration Division of the ILO Office in Bangladesh Head Niran Ramjuthan, among others, addressed the event as special guests with Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran in the chair.