Prevalence of Child Labor in Bangladesh: A Case Study on Faridpur District

Prevalence of Child Labor in Bangladesh: A Case Study on Faridpur District

Kazi Farhana¹, Md. Anisur Rahman², Mst. Sonia Akter Bristi³, AHM Nahid¹, Fatima Khuku Mony⁴, Muhammad Torequl Islam^5,6*

¹Department of Development Studies, Islamic University, Kushtia 7003, Bangladesh

²Department of Pharmacy, Islamic University, Kushtia 7003, Bangladesh

³Department of Chemistry, Kabi Nazrul Govt. College, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh

⁴Department of Management Studies, Gopalganj Science and Technology University, Gopalganj 8100, Bangladesh

⁵Department of Pharmacy, Gopalganj Science and Technology University, Gopalganj 8100, Bangladesh

⁶Bioinformatics and Drug Innovation Laboratory, BioLuster Research Center Ltd., Gopalganj 8100, Bangladesh

*Correspondence Author

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.90400256

Received: 26 March 2025; Accepted: 02 April 2025; Published: 09 May 2025

ABSTRACT

Child labor is a widespread issue not only in Bangladesh but also in many other developing countries worldwide. The global population of child laborers has increased to 160 million. This issue is exacerbating rather than being resolved. The author conducted this research to determine if child labor is being recruited in Faridpur by Section 34-44 of Chapter 3 of the Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006. In this study, we emphasize key factors about current societal challenges and the consequences of children participating in child labor in the Faridpur district of Bangladesh. For this, we gathered information from 350 respondents spread over 15 wards in Faridpur. The findings demonstrate the implications arising from the inadequate implementation of the regulations outlined in Chapter 3 of the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006, including poverty, parental illiteracy, large families and overpopulation, corruption, and a lack of government initiative. Through the findings, the author has hypothesized that the children would have physical, mental, social, and institutional/socialization suffering more as a result of the failure to comply with the Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006, in the future.

Keywords: Child labor, Faridpur district; hazardous work; economic burdens; government initiatives

INTRODUCTION

In modern Bangladesh, child labor is regarded as a major problem. Child labor is a daily contributor to growing social dysfunction. All forms of illegal employment of children are considered child labor by society and the law. In the broadest sense, child labor is the exploitation of children through any activity that keeps them from getting a full childhood and adolescent education, keeps them from going to school regularly, and hurts their progress in mental, physical, ethical, and social spheres. Child labor is not a curse but a harsh reality for a nation (Lau & Chan, 2021). According to the Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006, a person under 14 years of age is considered a child, and their labor is known as child labor. The concept of child labor is based on the Minimum Age Convention (No. 138) of 1973, which states that child labor consists of all children under the age of 15, including all economically active children under the age of 15, except between 12 and 14 years of age who work less than 14 hours per week, unless their occupations are hazardous by nature or circumstance. Bangladesh has a high prevalence of child labor. Therefore, children under the age of 14 labor in numerous unregulated businesses and are frequently at risk of dying in workplace fires (Ahmed, 2013; Anjum, 2021).

According to the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006, “the employment of children less than the age of fourteen in any profession or establishment is prohibited.” A practitioner’s certificate of fitness, which must be renewed every two years, is required for the employment of minors. Adolescents are ineligible for employment unless specific conditions are met. But it is clear that children younger than 14 are utilized as employees if we look at the current condition of child labor. There are a lot of economic and social factors involved. As a result, there are a wide variety of specific circumstances that lead to children working. Illiteracy, poverty, social norms, and weak labor laws are mainly responsible for child labor. The main problem arising from child labor is illiteracy. Since education is the backbone of a country, literacy is essential to building a glorious generation. There are so many reasons behind the departure of children from education and to incline to labor since their childhood. However, they perform their duties in many dangerous settings. The Bangladeshi government published the risky substances listed in the official gazette on March 13, 2013. The government of Bangladesh has also compiled a list of 38 potentially harmful pursuits for young people. Some of the occupations where kids can’t work include making aluminum products, working at auto repair shops, recharging batteries, making bidis and cigarettes, and breaking bricks or stones. Also, children work all day without any protective equipment in hazardous sectors like tannery, shipbreaking, and the dried fish industry. As a result, they are exposed to the pesticide DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane), salt, toxins like asbestos in the shipbreaking sector, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and other hazardous substances in tanneries. Children are working in the garment industry for 16 hours per day. Poor girls in Bangladesh are subjected to sexual exploitation through legal and illegal brothels and violence in various fields, including domestic work. As a result, children are at risk of physical and mental harm in child labor (Avi, The correspondent of Alokito Bangladesh, 2023). More than 2 million children are employed in hazardous occupations. As a result, they are facing various diseases at an early age. They are more likely to resort to violence as a result of stress and melancholy. The consequences of their behavior affect both their family members and the larger community. Young girls are sexually harassed and assaulted on the job all too often. So, the author tried to find answers to several problems through research, like, what extent is the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006 effective for child laborers? And sub-questions are:

–          What are the reasons for not complying with Bangladesh Labor Act 2006?

–          What is the effect on children due to non-compliance with Bangladesh Labor Act 2006?

A number of researchers on child labor have found that children participate in unpaid work for various reasons. Although numerous academic studies have addressed the numerous physical and psychological risks of child labor, it is currently illegal. Even the majority of studies have only addressed the causes of child labor. However, apart from the influence of social, economic, and family factors on child labor, this study will examine whether the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006 is being correctly implemented. Because no one has worked seriously on sections 34–44 of the third chapter of the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006 as of yet. As Article 34 expressly prohibits child labor and specifies that no child between the ages of 5 and 14 shall be employed, child labor is prohibited. In addition, sections 40 and 42 restrict children from working in dangerous places, with the exception of those listed in the gazette of the Government of Bangladesh. Section 41 stipulates that children’s work hours cannot exceed seven hours, and if they work overtime, they must obtain authorization and be compensated extra. Children are employed in several factories, workshops, and brick kilns in the city of Faridpur. The investigation was conducted because it is crucial to determine the extent to which the Bangladesh Labor Act of 2006 is being applied. This study will demonstrate that due to the non-implementation of the Bangladesh Labor Act of 2006, more and more children are engaging in child labor. Additionally, given the duration of children’s labor in specific places, what effect does disobeying this law have on children? This study will determine why children are involved in child labor. Even with this knowledge, it will be able to resolve the issue. Therefore, this study will be beneficial to government policymakers and Faridpur district implementers. So, the author has tried to find out objectives to understand, and he has focused on investigating the current situation of child labor in Faridpur district. & to determine the effects of noncompliance with the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006 on children.

METHODOLOGY

In this study, the author interviewed almost 350 people, of whom 300 were child laborers and 50 were owners, factory owners, lawyers, and government officers from 15 wards of Faridpur district in Bangladesh. And the research used a mixed method, that is, qualitative and quantitative, and conducted face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires. Techniques of random sampling and purposive sampling were used so that the respondents could answer easily. Apart from various socio-economic problems, other problems have also come up. Among them, the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006 was the main question of the interview. Also, various child labor-related books, articles, documents, research papers, etc. used as secondary data from officials have also been used through the internet. After browsing data collection, various statistical techniques are used, such as frequency, percentage, mean, median, and standard deviation. Data editing, processing, and analysis were done using SPSS and MS Excel in the activity.

LITERATURE REVIEW DEVELOPMENT OF CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Child labor is not a curse but a harsh reality for a nation (Lau and Chan, 2021). According to the Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006, a person under 14 years of age is considered a child, and their labor is known as child labor. The concept of child labor is based on the Minimum Age Convention (No. 138) of 1973, which states that child labor consists of all children under the age of 15, including all economically active children under the age of 15, except between 12 and 14 years of age who work less than 14 hours per week, unless their occupations are hazardous by nature or circumstance. Bangladesh has a high prevalence of child labor.

According to a survey published by Prothom Alo, a prominent Bangladeshi newspaper, 3.4 million young people are currently employed in Bangladesh. 1.280 million of these children are employed in hazardous occupations. And 2.6 million children are engaged in extremely hazardous labor (Jahangir Shah, 2016). It is anticipated that the prevalence of child labor in Bangladesh and around the world would increase considerably over the next few years as a result of the global spread of COVID-19 (ILO & UNICEF, 2021).

In Bangladesh, 93% of child laborers are employed in the informal sector, such as in small factories and workshops, on the street, in home-based businesses, and in domestic work. As reported by the Dhaka Tribune, Bangladesh is the fourth most impacted country in terms of the number of children with elevated blood lead levels (Afrin, 2021).

Child labor has multiple effects on a child. Long work hours hinder the mental development of children. In addition to hindering social development, physical problems frequently end a student’s school career. Children who work and study for long hours have more negative feelings about school, which makes them less likely to go to school and get better grades than they used to (Situla Zaman, 2016). Moreover, most girl children are engaged in domestic work. Also, these children are aged 12 to 17 years (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), 2002-2003).

Based on the Baseline Survey for Determining Hazardous Child Labor Sectors (BBS, 2005), only 8.1% of households with children participating in hazardous child labor would fall into poverty if child labor revenue ceased. The research reveals, however, that youth employment hinders future economic growth and human capital accumulation. 13 to 20% of a child’s lifetime earning potential is lost due to early employment (Ilahi, Orazem, Sedlacek, 2005).

Child labor diminishes the bargaining power of adult workers, depresses adult earnings, increases adult unemployment and underemployment, and diminishes a nation’s economic competitiveness, prolonging the intergenerational transmission of poverty. Large numbers of juvenile laborers in Bangladesh are employed in the informal economy, frequently under exploitative and unsafe conditions. This situation violates the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) of 1989, the ILO Minimum Age Convention (No. 138), and the ILO Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention (No. 182). The decision to become a child laborer rests with the parents, who may not always act in the kid’s best interest or with adequate or complete information, especially when it comes to females or children with special needs. Education is both a protective and an enabling right: training protects and supports the physical, cognitive, social, and moral development of children, and through enhancing their abilities, they are able to live a life that they have “reason to value (Sen, 1995).

As more families rely on their children for support, companies are taking increasing risks. Children are paid little rates for their work. Consequently, more children are used than adults (ILO, 2002). About 41 percent of all child laborers in Bangladesh are involved in hazardous forms of child labor (ILO, 2006). Child labor is a detriment to society. Poverty and the rapid expansion of illiteracy and ignorance among the populace are dangerously contributing to the increase of child labor. Children are employed in both the public and private sectors because, compared to adults, they constitute a docile and cost-effective labor force (Mondal et al., 2012).

The growing number of Bangladeshi child laborers with poor physical, mental, and social health is a matter of national concern (Moinuddin Mollah, 2020). In Bangladesh, children engage in the worst forms of child labor, especially dangerous agricultural work. In addition to dangerous occupations such as welding, carpentry, rickshaw pulling, poultry farming, and vehicle maintenance, children also engage in hazardous labor (Department of Labor Reports, US, 2011). The primary cost of child labor is the equivalent reduction in investment in the child’s human capital, which is principally caused by the interference of child labor with the child’s education. Numerous economists argue that child labor is a sign of poverty and that the most effective way to eliminate it is to alleviate poverty (Tonetto, 2016).

The extensive incidence of child labor is primarily attributable to low poverty and weak institutions. Therefore, numerous economic events and policies might have ambiguous effects on child labor (Edmonds & Pavcnik, 2005). In Bangladesh, a large number of children work in the current labor market, and it is unfortunate that when it is time to go to school with books in hand, the unfortunate children are forced to work insensitively and purposefully for the family’s survival and income production. It is equally shameful when adult employees submit the workplace to mental and sexual abuse (Kamruzzaman, 2015; Shahjahan, Ara, Ayaz, 2016; Zaman et al., 2014). Even the majority of working children are employed in factories or other forms of wage labor by their parents or by themselves (if they are orphans) (Edmonds & Pavcnik, 2005).

Certain children in Bangladesh may be unable to attend school due to the direct cost of education. When imposed, school fees are one of the most significant direct costs behind the dropout process, although the indirect cost of pens/pencils, practice books, private coaching, and transportation continues to be a relative financial burden for low-income households (Sabates, Hossain & Lewin, 2013). The Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006, which sets the main principles of employment of adults and children, says that an individual must provide a special certificate from a physician in order to be permitted to work a maximum of 42 hours per week, although children as young as 12 are entitled to engage in light work without negative consequences to their health or education. When a child works more than 42 hours per week, it is considered child labor or hazardous working conditions. More than 1.2 million children work in hazardous conditions in Bangladesh. Despite the passage of the National Labor Elimination Policies of 2010 and 2012–2016, further measures must be implemented to effectively eliminate child labor in Bangladesh, as its socioeconomic reasons are complex (Bangladesh Labor Act 2006). In Bangladesh, legislative protections for child labor are insufficient, and enforcement of child labor laws is weak. The compulsory schooling age in Bangladesh remains low (Reza, 2018). Figure 1 depicts the conceptual framework of the study.

Figure 1. Conceptual framework

The author indicates some factors by this conceptual framework that the Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006 (Chapter-3) is one of the main factors in here. Due to its weakness, child labor is increasing in Bangladesh, and various socio-economic reasons have been shown. For example: poverty and low family income, large households and overpopulation, cultural and traditional barriers, maximum output by minimum input, poor enforcement of the Labor Act 2006, government initiatives. Also, due to several pitfalls of the Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006, there is a negative impact on society.

FINDINGS

Socio-economic causes of child labor in Faridpur city

A total of 200 respondents were classified into four categories and asked various questions. And based on this interview, various reasons for child labor have arisen. The data was evaluated using a variety of instruments. It includes the use of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word. The causes of child labor are listed in the following below what people said:

Family economy matter

In response to the assertion that “poverty and low income’ are the underlying causes of child labor, the preceding figure demonstrates that parental poverty is not the primary cause of child labor. Herein is provided: 64% of respondents strongly agreed that poverty is the key barrier that prevented them from working for a living rather than attending school for education. Nobody actively disputed with them here. Even children indicated that their families were living in poverty at a rate of 26%. However, just 4% of the children denied that their parents were poor, while 6% of the children were unable to clear their status after that. However, the majority of the youngsters said that they were having trouble financially (Figure 2).

“One of them went so far as to say that “he was born into a very impoverished household and that he belonged to the Bede caste. As a direct consequence of this, society does not prioritize caring for them. As a direct consequence of this, very few members of his family hold jobs. Father struggles with his physical health. And throughout the day, his family manages the household. They don’t always get food. Sometimes they don’t. Due to the fact that her family is poor, she is forced to engage in child labor despite the fact that she is less than 14 years old.”

Figure 2. Agreements with the poverty and low income

Family members

In this section, the chart illustrates that 62% of the children “strongly agreed” that large households and an increase in the city’s overall population are one of the primary factors contributing to an ongoing rise in the incidence of child labor in Faridpur City. On the other hand, we can see that four percent of the children “strongly disagreed” with the statement that large households and overpopulation have an impact (Figure 3).

Child labor is caused by both too many people in a household and too many people in a household. This is due to the fact that the number of people living in a family is quite high while the number of working people is very low. Because of this, youngsters are also starting to participate in the task. The majority of the children stated that there were more than five members in their family. Some of them have never known their biological father, while others had mothers who were widowed or divorced. And the remainder of the children in the family are either infants or younger than their married siblings. Many children under the age of 14 are therefore forced to work in factories or mines.

“According to the statements of one of the respondents, “there are eight people living in the household, but only one is employed. As a result, the respondent has been toiling away at the factory for the past two years, despite the fact that he is only 12 years old. He is able to meet some of his own demands during these two years of employment because he is working. He is so generous that he even contributes to the schooling of his younger brother.”

Figure 3. Agreements with the family size

Traditional and cultural barriers

Case 1: Miss. Ratna (Pseudo Name)

Ratna is only ten years old at this point. She calls Faridpur’s Ward No. 19 Master Colony home and was born and raised there. It had been one year since he began working in a brick kiln. Because when he was only four years old, his mother ran off with another guy and deserted his father and his family. In addition, his father does not look after them any longer. His family currently consists of four members at this time. He is the older of two younger siblings, and his mother, who suffers from physical illness, helps out around the house and with odd jobs when she can. Because of this, it is impossible for their family to continue to function in this manner. Because of this, she has little choice but to work as a child laborer.

Traditional family perception involve in child labor

The results of this survey indicate that 34 percent of respondents strongly agree with the typical family perception that involves child labor. On the other hand, they assert that the majority of the time they are forced to endure generational poverty, which leads them to become laborers at an early stage in their lives. 16% of respondents were of the opinion that their family did not try to influence them, whereas 12% of children disagreed with this statement. Only 14% of those polled were neutral with the conventional family idea that children should be involved in labor (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Traditional family perception involves in child labor

Inequitable income distribution

Here, it shows that 44% of the respondents strongly agreed that inequality of income distribution influences the increasing rate of child labor. Children reported that most children are employed in motorcycle workshops, brick kilns, household work, etc. Because most owners do not give a good salary to children, even they force children to work overtime. Even most children said they were not paid after 6 months of working as interns. The reason was found that no salary is paid while teaching work (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Inequity of income distribution influences the increasing rate of child labor

Case 2: Mr. Tanvir (Pseudo Name)

Tanveer is eleven years old at this point. He calls Faridpur’s Ward No. 23 home and was born and raised there. Tanveer has two years of experience working in a workshop. However, he does not receive remuneration for his work. In addition to the money granted for the cost of food each week, only 50 taka is allotted for travel expenses. Tanveer is still young, and his family comes from a very humble background. So, despite the fact that he owns this workshop on inequality, he is still working.

Weak Institutions in Bangladesh

Employers are not aware of Bangladesh Labor Act 2006

The Bangladesh Labor Act of 2006, Chapter 3, enquired if the employees were aware of the circumstance. They refer to Section 34 of the Basic Law regulating underage labor in interviews. Section 34(1) forbids the employment of children in any profession or business, and Article 34 stipulates that no one under 14 may be hired. This restriction is bolstered by Section 35, which forbids parents and other guardians from entering into any agreement for the child’s use in any profession. However, Section 44 exempts light labor performed by children over the age of 12 if it does not interfere with their physical and mental development, education, or attendance at school. (2) of Section 34 explains the work eligibility requirements for children. While at work, every child must have a reference to a certificate of fitness for employment. The certificate is valid for one year and must be issued by a physician with a valid license. Employer responsibility for certification fees (Section 37). In addition, several labor restrictions prohibit children from engaging in hazardous labor. It is forbidden to clean, lubricate, or modify any moving machinery (3). In general, Section 40 restricts the use of dangerous equipment to minors who have obtained sufficient training or are appropriately supervised. Article 42 prohibits the use of youngsters for underground and underwater work. Article 41 defines maximum work hours for minors to protect them from the dangers of overwork. In compliance with Article 39 (1), the government has created a list of occupations that cannot be assigned to minors (2). The list comprises 38 economic areas where children are frequently exposed to dangerous working circumstances. However, this is not the case in a number of economic sectors. The Bangladesh Labor Act of 2006 does not apply to agricultural field workers with fewer than ten employees, domestic servants, or employees “in establishments managed by the owner with family assistance and without the use of hired labor.

After entering the data into Microsoft Excel and doing a systematic data analysis based on the questions posed to the employers, it was possible to derive the thesis. As such, it is illustrated below using a pie chart (Figure 6).

Figure 6. Employers are unaware about Bangladesh Labor Act 2006

The graph indicates that 36% of respondents strongly agree that employers are unaware of the Bangladesh Labor Act of 2006. The majority of employers claim they are unaware of this regulation, and the government and other authorities have never informed them of it. Chapter 3 of the Bangladesh Labor Act of 2006 Even in Faridpur, there is no education program on this act. Employers are ignorant of the law and hire children aged 5 to 14 without respecting the law. This issue also contributes to the rise in child labor. Employers are employing youngsters in a variety of hazardous occupations, including brick kilns and chemical plants, because the legislation is not being properly enforced.

One of the employers claimed ignorance of the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006. He has a brickkiln. He takes children aged 10 to 14 to his brick kiln and compels them to shift bricks from one location to another. Because he believes children can work more quickly than adults. So, he doesn’t know the law because he hires children for this seasonal job, even though both he and the children have needs.”

Lack of government incentives for child labor in Faridpur city

Since the year of Corona, child labor has increased in Faridpur city. Whether the government has implemented incentives to prevent child labor and the effectiveness of such incentives. During the interview, respondents were asked about this topic. The majority of respondents stated that the government does not care about ending child labor. Faridpur’s police administration and district administration took no action. They further claimed that Faridpur included a government office, a factory, and an establishment inspectorate. Only provision 34 of the Bangladesh Labor Act of 2006 is addressed. There is no work performed on the remaining clauses. The information obtained from respondents is depicted in the pie chart that follows Figure 7.

Figure 7. Government is not putting many initiatives on child labor

Here, it is shown that sixty percent of respondents strongly think that the government is not concerned about the widespread issue of child labor. In Faridpur, the government fails to prohibit child labor. Because official action to reduce child labor in Faridpur is not taken annually. Actions related to Section 34 of Chapter 3 of the Bangladesh Labor Act of 2006 are still going on, but the government hasn’t done much to make sure that monitoring and implementation are done well.

Case 3: Mrs. Firoza Begum (Pseudo Name)

Feroza Begum is an official in the government. She is an official who inspects factories and businesses. She is 34 years old. She is a resident of Faridpur, Ward No. 9. She works under Chapter 3 Provision 34 of the Bangladesh Labor Act of 2006. She stated that just this section is administered by his department. They do little to combat child labor. Occasionally, they evaluate urban brick kilns, factories, and workshops. Each year, they remove only 70 children from child labor from a total of five districts, including the district of Faridpur. However, she stated that it is only effective in removing these 70 people from their establishment. They do not conduct any monitoring. It does not provide assistance with housing or school enrollment. After a few days, the children will rejoin the work force.

Absence of law enforcement and punishment

The respondents were asked about the effectiveness of child labor law enforcement and punishment in Faridpur. The majority of respondents indicated that the Bangladesh Labor Act of 2006 is not being applied to eliminate child labor in Faridpur. By law, children may not be recruited. However, no case exists in this regard. District Commissioner Mohadoy of Faridpur took no action. There is no punishment since there is no case. The majority of Fadipur district court attorneys stated that they had not received any instances involving child labor. One of the attorneys stated that he has worked on child abuse issues for ten years but has never gotten a case. He also stated that this is one of Faridpur’s problems. As a result of pupils falling behind in their education. There is an ever-shrinking separation from society. Therefore, they should have various physical and mental issues. Therefore, the government should move quickly in this area. Based on the information of the respondents, data analysis is given in Figure 8.

Figure 8. Lack of law implementation and punishment

This indicates that 62% of respondents strongly agreed that a lack of law enforcement and punishment is one of the reasons contributing to the rise in child labor. The majority of agreeing respondents assert that children perform any labor due to the absence of a suitable punishment system. Children participate in several dangerous activities. Even when the law is not well implemented, children are frequently subjected to child labor abuse, child trafficking, and sex employment.

Case 4: Mr. Ripon (Pseudo Name)

Ripon’s age is 13 years old. He is a resident of Faridpur’s Ward No. 19. Ripon is employed at a chemical factory. He stated that his family is quite impoverished. Therefore, he began working at the plant for three years. He stated that he had an issue with the factory’s owner regarding his compensation a year ago. At one point during the dispute, the owner became irate and threw chemicals at him. A portion of his torso was acid-burning. His family launched a lawsuit against the owner, but the owner paid a fine, and the case was dismissed.

Vulnerable children in Bangladesh

Hazardous work and the current status of child labor

Multiple hazardous work lists have been established in the city of Faridpur. The areas where children perform the most and those areas are included- agriculture; sawmills; workshops; brick kilns; chemical industries; and domestic service, among others. Currently, children ages 7 to 14 are also employed in these fields. After interviewing the children, it was determined that they work 14 to 15 hours per week in factories and workshops. Consequently, children face numerous issues. Again, 9 to 10 hours of brick kiln labor. Additionally, I work as a transport assistant for around 12 to 13 hours. Children serve as domestic servants for 13 to 14 hours a day, and sometimes longer. The following is a table (Table 1) based on the information provided by respondents:

Table 1. Hazardous work list and identify how many children are currently working in hazardous sectors

Here is the list of the most hazardous work areas in Faridpur city. First come to the workshop sector. Here, children of 8–14 years’ work more. They said they work almost 14 to 15 hours a day in steel and motor mechanic workshops. Out of 50 child respondents, 13 children work in workshops. After analyzing the data, 26% of children are found to be involved in this hazardous work. The 2nd sector is brick kilns. In this sector, children work to break bricks and carry bricks from one place to another. It is seen that children aged 8–13 years’ work more. Even they are working around 12–13 hours per day. Ten children stated that they work in brick kilns. That means 20 out of 50 children are involved in this work. Data analysis has shown that most of the 50 transport helpers live as helpers on buses, Mahendra said. The children also do the work of lifting the goods in the truck. Those found to be 9–14 years old were working for 12–13 hours. 9 out of 50 people were found to be involved in this work, and their percentage came to 18%. Sawmills see 8–14-year-old children. They work 10–12 hours. There is no opportunity to go to school because of this work. 7 out of 50 children said that they are involved in this work. About 14% of children are working in sawmills. In the chemical industry, 10–14-year-old children work more. They work 14–15 hours a day. An area study found 5 out of 50 children working in these factories. So, 10% of children are working in chemical factories. 4 out of every 50 people work as domestic servants. They work 13–14 hours per day. Those aged 7–14 years. So, 8% of children work as household servants. Children aged 11–14 years old work more in the agriculture sector. They said most of the time they do agricultural work with their father or brother. They also said they work five to six hours daily. 4% of children who said they were involved in agriculture.

Prevalence of child labor in Bangladesh

Based on theoretical data, research has already demonstrated that child labor exists in the city of Faridpur, and multiple causes of child labor have been identified. Additionally, children are involved in hazardous work and do a variety of jobs. They are working 14 to 15 hours per day on average, which is in violation of the Bangladesh Labor Act of 2006. However, youngsters perform a variety of tasks. A result of performing these dangerous jobs, people face numerous problems. Approximately fifty children were interviewed in Faridpur, and they indicated mental, physical, and behavioral issues.

Physical complications of child labor

Based on the findings of this study on child labor in the city of Faridpur, it is evident that child labor causes physical issues for children. Even if they suffer from lung, kidney, skin, or hand and foot rashes, malnutrition, and growth disorders as a result of working in hazardous environments. Numerous children who work in the chemical industry have reported chest pain and a variety of skin disorders. 26 respondents out of 50 strongly indicated that they are unable to operate in hazardous environments due to various physical impairments. According to the Bangladesh Labor Act of 2006, minors under the age of 14 are forbidden from working in hazardous work zones. However, children in Faridpur are suffering as a result of the inadequate implementation of this rule. So how many children are suffering from physical problems is given below through a pie chart (Figure 9):

Figure 9. Physical complications of child labor

As shown in the following graph, 52 percent of children strongly agree that they have physical problems. Only 4% of youngsters strongly disagreed because they do not have any physical issues.

Case 5: Mr. Sakib (Pseudo Name)

Shakib’s age is thirteen. Three years ago, he began working in a chemical factory in the city of Faridpur. His skin has been affected by rashes for a year. Consequently, he visited a physician at the Faridpur Government Hospital. Many examinations were above his capabilities. However, after borrowing money from family members, he traveled to Dhaka and consulted a doctor in PG. Then he discovered he had skin cancer. According to his doctors, he developed this cancer owing to excessive chemical exposure. He stated that he is currently unable to afford proper medical care due to a lack of funds. His family said that the owner of the factory only gave Rs 5,000 to pay for his medical bills, but nothing else happened.

Drop out from educational institution

From the following graph, it can be observed that 48% of youngsters highly agreed. According to their report, the majority of children labor 14 to 16 hours every day, preventing them from attending school. Children are dropping out of school despite their desire to continue their education. Even the youngsters have stated that their owners do not permit them to attend school. Only 8% of youngsters strongly disagreed because they left school on their own or because their owner offered them time off to attend class. They work in shifts in order to attend school (Figure 10).

Figure 10. Child labor effects on children’s education

Case 6: Ms. Rikta (Pseudo Name)

Rikta’s age is 11 years old. He resides in Ward No. 16 in the city of Faridpur. Rikta reported working in a residence. She is fatherless. He was survived by a widowed mother and three brothers and sisters. She lived in the apartment in which his mother gave her job. Her mother had consented to him attending school with that proprietor. Despite her two years of employment, she was not admitted to school. Rikta even said she was beaten by her master when she inquired about school admission. As a result, she is now reluctant to express her desire to attend school.

Child labor effects on mental health and behavior

As illustrated in the following graph, 42% of children strongly agreed that their participation in child labor has resulted in various mental and behavioral issues.

“One of the children who strongly agreed stated that working all day in the workshop has caused him psychological issues because he sometimes believes that all of his buddies attend school while he cannot. Occasionally, he experiences stress owing to excessive work pressure. He even stated that his behavior was deteriorating day by day. Consequently, he has withdrawn from his family, friends, and relatives. Consequently, he is becoming increasingly emotionally fragile and lonely.”

In addition, 8% of the children were vehemently opposed. Because they believe that they are better off working. And many believe that while they are under pressure at work, they can forget about their family’s poverty (Figure 11).

Figure 11. Child labor effects mental and behavioral health

Case 7: Mr. Robin (Pseudo Name)

He is twelve years old. He resides in Ward No. 19 in the city of Faridpur. He stated that he is a local bus assistant on the route between Faridpur and Khulna. Work between 12 and 13 hours per day. Because of this, he has mental issues. Sometimes he finds this labor to be tedious. Even behavioral difficulties have occurred. He was never disobedient toward his parents. However, he began acting inappropriately with his family, friends, and relatives. A few days ago, he had an issue with a bus passenger and verbally abused that passenger. When the passenger lifted his hand against him, he also began to beat him.

DISCUSSION

The research indicates that the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006 is not being implemented in the city of Faridpur. A lot of these arguments are supported by research. The framework of the research concept is comprised of three categories: causes, conditions, and consequences of child labor positions. In addition, 350 respondents were questioned about Sections 34 to 44 of the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006. The majority of child labor is attributed to poverty, parental illiteracy, family and overpopulation, etc. Several obstacles must be overcome by the government in order to address these additional issues. Obviously, the majority of it is GDP, yet due to capitalism, the wealthy are becoming poorer. Even according to the original census data, the Democratic People’s Republic of Bangladesh had nearly double the population. According to this, the Bangladeshi government may still increase housing and jobs; thus, child labor will continue to decline. Another attempt was attempted on student laborers in Faridpur city. In addition, Section 34 of the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006 prohibits the employment of minors under the age of 14 as child laborers. Faridpur Group is constantly involved in crucial matters. Even in Section 41, working hours are addressed. After visiting the Faridpur city’s various locations, like brick kilns, workshops, and other locations, it was discovered that children’s work 14 to 15 hours each day. Children are unable to learn and are suffering physically and mentally as a result. Also, children frequently labor in hazardous environments. According to Section 39 of the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006, it is illegal for children to work in dangerous environments. In politics, however, there are no rules and restrictions, which is a significant obstacle for Bangladesh. And all of these difficulties are addressed by the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006. The present circumstance is governed under the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006. Society Legislators Asas find difficulties for individuals to fill all the voids. Bangladesh Labor Act 2006 for the gaps in the law’s implementation is being sternly enforced; therefore, work diligently on the objective of Bangladesh Labor Act 2006 this policy, which is for the data Bangladesh Labor Act 2006. It has been demonstrated that it cannot be seen in Faridpur city.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Child labor is a worldwide problem, not just in Faridpur but throughout Bangladesh. The scenario is the result of a variety of Bangladeshi difficulties. Poverty and economic concerns, auditing deficiencies, and inappropriate implementation of laws or government acts do not rank among the most significant. As a result, this problem has lasted for decades. According to UNICEF, child survival and development are significantly impacted by poverty. Numerous children in Bangladesh are deprived of their basic rights to education, a balanced diet, health and nutrition, protection, participation, recreation, clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. Due to poverty, ignorance, a lack of social consciousness, and discrimination, children’s rights are being violated. They have less bargaining power than adults and can be disciplined and dismissed with relative ease. Currently, education must be made more appealing, and institutional leaders must pay greater attention to the education of children and the implementation of various policies and programs. This legislation may certainly be used to limit child labor. So that they can simultaneously complete primary education and employment, parents of working children must provide constant supervision. Children represent the nation’s future and hope. Consequently, if they are exploited at a young age, they will not be able to contribute to the nation’s progress and will hinder it. This issue has negative short-term and long-term impacts on the economy. If child labor in Bangladesh is not eliminated, there is no alternative way to advance our economy. Moreover, the Bangladeshi government should rapidly implement the child-related provisions of the Bangladesh Labor Act of 2006 as soon as possible. The government should place law enforcement and implementation at the top of its list of priorities in order to eliminate child labor as quickly as possible.

The following are some recommendations for eliminating child labor in Bangladesh:

• According to the results of the study, poverty has become one of the main reasons for child labor. Because of this, the government should start programs and projects at the community level to reduce poverty not just in cities but also in rural areas. Also, child labor can be cut down if public and private groups offer new jobs to the poor and make the gap between the rich and the poor less wide.
• School administrators should collaborate with community leaders and local governments to identify youngsters who drop out of school and work as day laborers. With the assistance of the authorities, plans should be made to quickly restore the children to school.
• Compulsory school attendance is an effective method of preventing child labor. Children must receive free books at both the elementary and secondary school levels. The government solely awards school-level scholarships to girls, causing boys to drop out of school owing to poverty. The government should therefore offer scholarships to both boys and girls.
• As the majority of child laborers’ parents and employers are unaware of the law, anti-enforcement seminars and social awareness initiatives should be held at the community level by the District Commissioner in each district. Therefore, Child Labor Day should be more proactive in order to raise public awareness.
• The government should take initiative to develop education, infrastructure, and utility amenities in urban and rural areas.
• The media and social media must raise awareness of child labor and child rights. Employers, families, and children should be made aware through the use of the media.
• The government should correctly utilize foreign grants. Because corruption is frequently discovered before the donation reaches the grassroots level, consequently, numerous initiatives and laws are not implemented.
• The government should strictly monitor the implementation of the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006.

Funding

None.

Conflict of interest

None declared.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

None.

Authorship contributions

Conceptualization, Methodology, Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, and Writing – original draft – K.F., M.A.R., M.S.A.B., and A.H.M.N.; Writing – review & editing – K.F., F.K.M., and M.A.R.; Software, and Writing – original draft – M.S.R., M.S.A.B., and A.H.M.N.; Project administration, Supervision, Validation, and Visualization – M.T.I.

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