Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in Asia. Child labor is a serious problem there, exacerbated primarily by poverty and social inequalities. Solidar Suisse is committed to combating child labor by providing affected children with access to education and supporting families in developing alternative sources of income.
According to the latest reports from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, around 160 million children worldwide are involved in child labor — an increase of 8.4 million since 2016. Children aged 5 to 11 are particularly affected, now accounting for more than half of all children involved in child labor. The most dangerous forms of child labor, where children suffer physical and psychological harm, affect approximately 79 million children. The largest share of these children work in agriculture (about 70%), followed by the service sector (20%) and industry (10%).
Child Labor in Bangladesh
Child labor remains a persistent problem in Bangladesh, having seen a worrying increase of 4.5% over the past decade. Despite progress over the last two decades, the impacts of COVID-19, climate change, the global recession, and extreme poverty have worsened the situation. Child labor is a complex issue closely linked to poverty, lack of access to quality education, limited opportunities for vocational training, insufficient legal and social protection, geographical factors, and the absence of an effective monitoring system. Child labor is a violation of children’s rights and has long-term negative effects on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
«I would love to go to school. But I have no time.»
Creating Sustainable Opportunities
To fight child labor, Solidar Suisse and the local partner YPSA launched the project “Protecting Children from Hazardous Work in the Dried Fish and Metal Factory Sectors (Free Kids) and Promoting Their Future.” This project aligns with the National Action Plan (NPA) to eliminate child labor by 2025 and is implemented in the Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram districts. Its aim is to protect children from dangerous working conditions and provide them with a better future through education and awareness programs.
A national child labor survey from 2022 shows that 1.77 million children in Bangladesh are still engaged in child labor, with 1.1 million involved in hazardous work. The metal factory and dried fish sectors are the most dangerous for children, having long-term effects on their physical and mental well-being and hindering their development. Given these facts, the project focuses on children working in these sectors. Additionally, the project targets disaster-affected areas in Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram, especially children vulnerable to exploitation through child labor due to the collapse of protection systems.
The baseline survey also revealed that around 50% of the children do not attend school because they are involved in child labor, denying them their right to education. Therefore, the goal is to reintegrate these children into the formal education system.
Support for Parents, Learning Centers for Children
The project introduces alternative training measures for the parents of child laborers, including support and technical assistance to improve the economic empowerment and financial security of families. This approach creates the opportunity for children to attend school and no longer contribute to the family income.
Additionally, four centers were established in areas prone to child labor to provide alternative learning opportunities for child workers. In these centers, children can play and interact under supervision and guidance. Children aged 14 to 18 also receive vocational training to develop skilled labor and secure a better future. The connection to employment industries offers safe and non-hazardous work opportunities for graduates of the vocational training program.
Solidar Suisse supports children and adolescents, as well as their families in Bangladesh, to offer them alternatives to child labor. Here, a public awareness campaign is being conducted in Cox's Bazar to raise awareness of the issue and promote better opportunities.
Support for the children in Bangladesh
Your donation helps to create new opportunities and perspectives for the children in Bangladesh.
