Sectoral Approach
In alignment with its 2016 commitment to the international community, Bangladesh has steadily worked to eliminate the worst forms of child labor, aiming to eradicate all child labor by 2025. Established in 2019, the National Monitoring Committee, with guidance from DIFE, has played a central role in inspecting and certifying sectors as child labor-free.
Bangladesh has classified 38 sectors as hazardous for children. In a major step toward ending child labor, it has recently declared six additional industrial sectors free from child labor. The newly recognized sectors include the tannery, glass, ceramic, ship recycling, export-oriented leather and footwear, and sericulture industries. This announcement follows the recommendations of the National Monitoring Core Committee and the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE).
With these latest additions, a total of eight industry sectors have now been declared child labor-free, as the readymade garment (RMG) and shrimp processing industries were previously certified as such. Sector leaders confirm that there is no presence of child labor in these industries, and DIFE officials have supported these claims after conducting on-site inspections.
Eight Sectors Declared Child Labour-Free
The European Union (EU) has called upon Bangladesh to create a comprehensive roadmap to eliminate child labor across all industries to continue enjoying Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) trade benefits from 2025 onward. While significant progress has been made, some areas, such as garment production in Keraniganj, still require attention. Government authorities have committed to addressing these issues with urgency and providing support for rehabilitating former child laborers.
Challenges & Next Steps
Remaining Sectors: Although significant progress has been made, child labor persists in informal segments like garment production in Keraniganj. Authorities are addressing these gaps with targeted action plans.
Child Rehabilitation Programs: Initiatives are underway to rehabilitate former child laborers and ensure safe, sustainable livelihoods.
The elimination of child labor across Bangladesh’s industries is essential to upholding children’s rights and aligning with international standards. These latest achievements underscore the nation’s commitment to a child labor-free future by 2025, ensuring safe and fair workplaces for all workers across Bangladesh.