Awareness gap helps persist child labour

The government will launch more pilot projects to accelerate efforts to eliminate child labour across the country, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury said on Monday.

Speaking at a programme marking World Day Against Child Labour 2026 at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka, the minister said child labour continues partly because of a lack of public awareness.

“Child labour also occurs due to a lack of awareness. Therefore, we have to work from the grassroots level. In this regard, we can leverage the support of local and religious leaders so that they can raise mass awareness to end child labour in Bangladesh,” he said.

Ariful, who also serves as expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment minister, said the government remains committed to working with development partners, employers, workers’ organisations and civil society to strengthen initiatives aimed at eliminating child labour.

He said additional pilot projects would be launched to speed up the government’s efforts in this area.

The programme was jointly organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Child Labour Elimination Platform and the International Labour Organization under the global theme, “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults.”

Md Abdur Rahman Tarafder, secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, chaired the event, while ILO Bangladesh Country Director Max Tunon attended as special guest.

Tunon said eliminating child labour requires coordinated action by government agencies, employers, workers’ organisations, development partners and civil society.

The event highlighted Bangladesh’s progress in reducing child labour while acknowledging the challenges that remain. Cultural performances promoting child rights and remarks by a child representative underscored the importance of ensuring education and a safe childhood for every child.

Speaking at the programme, Abdul Hamid, country director of Educo Bangladesh, called for a sector-based approach to eliminating child labour. He also highlighted collaborative initiatives being implemented through the Child Labour Elimination Platform.

A panel discussion titled “Effective Steps and Shared Responsibilities to Eliminate Child Labour in Bangladesh” brought together representatives from the government, employers, workers and the ILO to discuss practical measures for tackling child labour.