Child labour shown ‘red card’ in Laxmipur

LAXMIPUR, June 16: As part of a human chain programme on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour, initiated by the Sachetan Nagorik Committee (SANAK), Laxmipur and TIB, child labour in waste management in the district has been shown a ‘red card’ in front of the Laxmipur Press Club on Sunday morning.

Present at the time were SANAK Laxmipur former president Professor ZM Farooqui, Vice-President Humayun Kabir, SANAK members Abul Mobarak Bhuiyan, Ahmed Hossain, Habibur Rahman Sabuj, Monika Chakraborty, Rashedul Islam, Md Mosleh Uddin, Rajib Hossain Raju and others.

The speakers said that 17.8 lakh children are engaged in labour in Bangladesh, of which more than 10 lakh are engaged in hazardous work. Children usually collect waste from dumpsites and roads, are engaged in the separation of plastic, paper and textile waste in informal factories, and the sorting of hazardous waste such as e-waste and medical waste. Doing these jobs without any protective gears, children are exposed to toxic substances and sharp objects.