Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal has called upon government and private institutions, civil society, and all relevant stakeholders to work collectively alongside ensuring the proper implementation of existing laws to eliminate child labour.
He made the call at a dialogue titled “Our Role in Eliminating Child Labour,” organised by the development organisation Action for Social Development (ASD) in cooperation with the Child Labour Elimination Platform (CLEP) at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in the capital on Sunday.
Presided over by ASD Executive Director MA Karim, the deputy speaker noted that although there are many good laws in the country, there is a lack of proper implementation.
He stressed that those responsible for enforcing laws must be brought under accountability and called on law enforcement agencies to perform their duties neutrally, particularly regarding offences committed by influential individuals.
Emphasising the need for governance accountability, Kamal said it is essential to ensure accountability not only for political leaders or ministers but also for executive branch officials and employees paid from public taxes.
He noted that proper supervision must be maintained over public servants, adding that constructive criticism and effective monitoring of the executive branch are necessary to build a desired state.
Addressing the plight of street children, highlighted that the prime minister invited and fed street children, demonstrating that they too deserve a beautiful life.
The deputy speaker shared that plans are being drawn up to gradually rehabilitate street children from the roads into homes. Stating that Bangladesh has gained a humane Prime Minister, he urged that such humanitarian initiatives should not be politicised.
“Let us all work together to build a humane Bangladesh,” Kamal urged, calling on everyone to take an oath not to employ any child under the age of 14 in domestic work.
He further assured that if required in the best interest of children, initiatives will be taken in the National Parliament to amend existing legislation or frame new laws.
Speaking as special guests at the event were Engineer Md Ashraf Uddin Bokul, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Defence, along with lawmakers Bithika Binte Hossain, Anna Minj, and Shawkat Ara Akter.
The dialogue was moderated by ASD Advocacy and Research Coordinator Syed Shahinur Rahman.
Other speakers included National Human Rights Commission Deputy Director M Rabiul Islam, CLEP Member AKM Maksud, ILO National Project Coordinator Syedah Munira Sultana, Manusher Jonno Foundation Project Manager Pablo Neruda, Shapla Neer Bangladesh representative Mahfuza Parveen, ASD Director of Programmes Lutfun Nahar Kanta, ASD Project Manager UK M Farhana Sultana, and SCAN Vice-President Aftabuzzaman.
The event was attended by representatives from civil society and various NGOs, human rights activists, concerned officials from the Parliament Secretariat, and journalists from both electronic and print media.
