Cabinet bans employment of children under 14

The Cabinet on Monday decided that none under the age of 14 could be recruited for work, approving the proposal of ratifying ILO Convention-138 which restricted the employment of any child below 15.

The approval came at the Cabinet’s regular meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

The Prime Minister joined the meeting virtually from her official residence Gonobhaban, while Cabinet officials were at the meeting room of the Cabinet Division in Bangladesh Secretariat.

Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said while briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, “Considering the socioeconomic condition of any country, the age limit of recruitment for work could be reduced to 14 years, but not less than it. The Cabinet thinks 14 is suitable for Bangladesh.”

‘ILO Convention-138’ carries special significance as out of 189 countries across the world, 173 have signed it, he said.

The main issue is that generally 15-year is required to complete basic education and that’s why no child under 15 can be employed. But, considering the socioeconomic condition, in particular, 14 years is suitable for Bangladesh, he added.

The cabinet secretary, however, said that these children, whether they are 14 or 15 years old, cannot be engaged in any risky or dangerous work under any circumstance.

If anyone commits any crime at this age, he or she will be considered a child offender, he added.

Replying to a query on if someone employs a child under the age of 14 or 15 years what would be the punishment, Khandker Anwarul said the punishment would be given according to the Labour Law.

ARR