World Day Against Child Labour 2026: BLF Leads National Campaign for a Child Labour-Free Bangladesh
Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF) organized a human chain and rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka to mark the World Day Against Child Labour 2026 under the theme “Red card to child labour: Fair play for children, decent work for adults”. The event brought together representatives from the Government of Bangladesh, the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP), IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC), national and sectoral trade unions, employers’ organizations, development partners, civil society organizations, and media representatives.
Calling for a Child Labour-Free Bangladesh
The event highlighted that eliminating child labour requires a comprehensive approach addressing its root causes, including poverty, limited access to quality education, inadequate social protection, and the lack of decent work opportunities for adults. Participants emphasized the importance of collective action to ensure every child’s right to education, protection, and a dignified childhood.
Key Discussions
- Strengthening family and community awareness to prevent child labour and promote children’s rights
- Expanding social protection, skills development, and quality education opportunities to address root causes of child labour
- Ensuring decent work, fair wages, and safe working conditions for adults to reduce economic dependency on child labour
- Strengthening enforcement of labour laws, monitoring mechanisms, and coordinated action among government, employers, trade unions, civil society, and development partners
- Promoting child labour-free production and responsible supply chains in line with international labour standards and human rights due diligence
- Ensuring effective implementation of ILO Convention No. 138 (Minimum Age Convention) and ILO Convention No. 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention)
A K M Ashraf Uddin, Executive Director of BLF, emphasized the need to expand social protection, increase access to technical and vocational education, and promote responsible business practices to build a child labour-free future.
Key Speakers Notes
I call upon all stakeholders in Bangladesh to work together through coordinated efforts to create an enabling environment for the elimination of child labour. At the same time, we must collectively ensure quality education and social protection for children, while establishing decent working conditions and opportunities for adults. - Neeran Ramjuthan, Programme Manager, International Labour Organization
“When parents have access to decent jobs, fair wages, safe working conditions, and adequate social protection through initiatives such as family cards, children can remain where they belong—in schools, not workplaces. Ending child labour requires more than laws; it demands compulsory education up to the age of 14, strong social protection for vulnerable children and families, and effective implementation of policies that support workers and communities. Decent work for adults, combined with comprehensive social protection, is the foundation of a childhood free from labour.” - Syeda Munira Sultana, National Project Coordinator, International Labour Organization
“Eliminating child labour begins with raising awareness within families. At the same time, financially capable members of society must also step forward and contribute to this cause. Expanding social protection programmes for families affected by child labour and establishing vocational training centres through both government and private initiatives are essential. Furthermore, effective government monitoring and the strict enforcement of laws must be ensured to eradicate child labour.” — Z. M. Kamrul Anam, General Secretary, Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF)
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor
"Ending child labour is not possible without a coordinated and collective effort. We should undertake a one-year action programme with a clear and specific target, bringing all stakeholders together. Through such a concerted initiative, we can achieve significant progress in eliminating child labour.” — Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Executive Director, Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS)
"When workers have decent jobs, fair wages, and social security, children can remain where they belong in schools, not workplaces. Effective implementation of ILO Conventions 138 and 182 is essential to achieving a child labour-free future." — Khadija Akter, General Secretary, SGSF
“Existing laws on child labour must be effectively enforced, and monitoring mechanisms must be strengthened to prevent children from entering the workforce. Building a child labour-free Bangladesh requires a coordinated effort among the government, employers, trade unions, civil society, and development partners. Only through collective action can we ensure a safe, educated, and dignified future for every child.” — Kutubuddin Ahmed, President, IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC)
“Under the laws of Bangladesh, employing any child below the age of 14 constitutes child labour. We do not want to see any child labour in Bangladesh; we want every child to be in school, receiving an education and enjoying their childhood. Although the law permits adolescents aged 15–18 to work under specific conditions, with limited hours and restrictions on hazardous or strenuous tasks, we believe that all forms of child and adolescent labour should be eliminated. Our goal is to ensure that every child and adolescent has the opportunity to learn, develop, and build a better future free from labour.” — Amirul Haque Amin, President, National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF)