Rights activists have called on all to come forward to eliminate child labour from the country and build a child-friendly society.
Currently, about 1.3 million children are engaged in different types of hazardous jobs, they said.
People from all walks of life will have to work together for elimination of child labour, as it is one of the important Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they added.
The rights activists made the call at a consultation meeting organised by the Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) at CIRDAP Auditorium in the city on Monday on the occasion of the 'World Child Labour Prevention Day'.
The World Child Labour Prevention Day is observed on June 12 every year.
Aroma Dutta, executive director of Private Rural Initiatives Programme (PRIP) Trust, was present as the chief guest and discussed the issue of violence against children.
She requested all to become aware of the existing laws to ensure protection of children.
She also suggested providing technical education alongside general education for students.
Rafeza Shaheen, programme manager of Manusher Jonno Foundation, said it is necessary to gather proper knowledge about nursing of children before becoming parents.
Poverty is not the only factor leading to the rise in child labour, she said.
Various other factors such as lack of knowledge on the part of parents and child marriage should be taken into account while working out ways to eliminate child labour, she added.
Rezaul Haque, additional Secretary of the labour wing at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said the number of hazardous child labour has declined to 1.3 million from 3.8 million since an integrated approach was adopted.
More such initiatives are needed to eradicate child labour from the country, he added.
Sheepa Hafiza, executive director of ASK, moderated the meeting.
Currently, 38 types of jobs are mentioned by the government as hazardous for children, she said.
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