Labour bodies, advocacy groups sceptical of attaining target

Labour organisations and advocacy groups expressed Thursday their serious doubt about attainment of the government's target of eliminating the 'worst forms of child labour (WFCL)' from the country by 2015.
The government has set the target centring on WFCL, which is one of the four fundamental principles of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and also an integral component of the Decent Work Country Porgramme in Bangladesh.  
"Bangladesh demonstrates simply some of its commitments and passion toward the promised goal regarding the child labour elimination", said officer-in-charge, ILO Dhaka office Gagan Rajbhandari as he was addressing a national-level seminar.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Save the Children, and Bangladesh Shishu Odhikar Foundation jointly organised the discussion styled 'Extend Social Protection: Combat Child Labour' at a city hotel.
Secretary at the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Tarik-Ul-Islam addressed the programme as chief guest.
Labour adviser of Bangladesh Employers Federation Kazi Saifuddin Ahmed, chairman of the National Coordination Committee on Workers Education (NCCWE) Zafrul Hassan, director of Bangladesh Shishu Odhikar Forum Dr Shamim Imam and director of the Child Protection of Save the Children Nayomi Kannangara, among others, addressed the programme.
Dr Abdul Hye Mondal presented a keynote paper highlighting the country's child labour scenario, while Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Employment Md Faizur Rahman presided over the event.
"Ratification of the convention and adaptation of some policies are the initial steps toward the target", the ILO representative said adding that the government must take some deliberate measures toward eliminating the dangerous child labour.
According to the latest National Child Labour Survey (NCLS), the total number of child workers in Bangladesh aged 5-17 years is estimated to be 7.4 million, of which 3.1 million are considered as risk-prone child labour.
Mr Rajbhandari said child labour is a global problem and the government's initiative to eliminate the risky child labour is very inspiring, but the progress is very slow and steady.
"Eventually, the target set by the world communities to eliminate the hazardous child labour by 2016 couldn't be achieved by the deadline", he said adding that if the authorities are really willing to reach the target, they must accelerate and intensify the existing efforts in this connection.
He underscored the need for accelerating the social safety-net programmes including ensuring quality education, sanitation system and medical treatment.
"To achieve the target, the government must take visible action plans incorporating all the groups working here to promote child development", said the employers' federation leader Kazi Saifuddin Ahmed.
NCCWE chairman Zafrul Hassan recommended the government to work through a more specifically targeted way addressing the major problems standing in the way of child labour reduction.
Highlighting the policies and the progresses made by the government in combating child labour in the country, the keynote paper noted that the legal protections in child labour were limited in Bangladesh.
"Children continue to engage in WFCL, pointing to the need for accelerating and intensifying the ongoing efforts of the government", he added.
He said failure to invest necessary funds in the well-being of children from an early age has long-term implications for the growing kids and societies as well, while the deprived group will remain neglected even during their adulthood.