[Read the passage below carefully and answer the question no 1-7 that follow:]
Home to over four million child workers, Bangladesh has been the subject of global-concern regarding children’s rights and child labour. In a place where poverty is the cause of everyday tribulations, it is not possible to abolish this long – established system of cold drudgery entirely. A 2002-2003 UNICEF surgery noted that children represent 16.6% o the total workforce. At the time there were 3.2 million child laborer in Bangladesh among whom about 1.4 million children were doing hazardous work. Countless children are engaged in strenuous work I industries such as tanneries, ship-breakig yard, tobacco, factories, transportation car workshops and contraction, while other serve in tea still, restaurants or do household chore. In Bangladesh children work both in rural and urban based industries, however, the children working in urban areas are subjected to more dismal work conditions like unfixed wages, health hazards, no contracts etcetera and are vulnerable to mental, physical and sexual harassment. It is understandable in what circumstances the destitute families choose their children to work in order to make both ends meet. This situation is often referred to as “borrowing from the future for present consumption, since present needs blight the development of the child in future. This creasing international transfer of poverty where the downward spiral of exploration and poverty is passed from adult to child.
The current situation of child rights in Bangladesh may fall short of international standards, but the circumstances are supposed to be different in a county where about 38 million, people live below poverty line, In many cases children are the sole bread winners for their family , which may comprise e up to 4-5 member, owing to severe pecuniary constraints and common social inclination most children are forced to give up their studied and start working in order to stanchion their families, As seen in the up their studied and tart working in order to stanchion their families, As seen in the case studies mentioned above, the major cause of children’s entering the workforce is economic difficulties, As a result, in Bangladesh where absolute poverty exists, 67% of children are working on account of financial hardship. Another factor contributing to child labour is the lack of awareness and tradition.
As most of the people are unaware of the concept of child labour and its pernicious effect, most parents do not object to their children’s working, rather, on the contrary, they encourage it.
While all agree that child labour is a bane of a nation that needs to be addressed immediately, it is also an impracticable idea to uproot it completely from a country like Bangladesh. Rather, attempts at decreasing it should be the first course of action. Steps must be taken to reduce and eventually eradicate extreme poverty through economic and social development. Furthermore, child-focused education and awareness are also required. As many children drop out of school because of associated costs, such as transport and uniform expenses, these can be subsumed within the school budget.
Another thing that can be done is raising awareness of child labour. This can be done by both the government and ngos through various means of awareness building. Educating the mass about the pitfalls of child labour is necessary as most of them do not understand the concept. If they are able to realize the dangers and disadvantages of sending their children to work instead of school, they will be less inclined to send them to work.