Public-private partnership to eradicate child labour

The shrimp industry became an institutional sector that contributes significantly to the overall export earnings for the country, speakers said at a consultation meeting in Bagerhat.

The programme was organized by INCIDIN Bangladesh with the support of Global March – Against Child Labour and Udayan Bangladesh at Bagerhat’s Udayan Bangladesh Office on Wednesday.

Joint initiatives from both the public and private sectors are essential to ensure the growth of this sector and strengthen its viability, the speakers said during the meeting with government officials, representatives from the private sector, trade unions and mass media.

Deputy Director (Information) of Bagerhat Mehedy Hasan attended the meeting as chief guest, while General Secretary of Udayan Bangladesh and Vice President of Bagerhat Press Club, Israt Jahan, presided over the programme.

In his speech, Mehedy underscored building a children-friendly district by eradicating child labour with the participation of all concerned.

While presenting the keynote paper, the Manager (Programme) of INCIDIN Bangladesh Md. Rafiqul Islam Khan (Alom) said the rising number of child labourers in the shrimp supply chain could negatively affect the industry.

There is a high possibility of buyers showing disinterest in investing in a sector that uses children as labourers, he added.

President of Bagerhat District Shrimp Owners Association, Fakir Mohitul Islam Sumon, said that it is possible to reduce child labour in the shrimp supply chain with the combined efforts of government, non-government and private sectors.

Local government officials, public representatives, journalists, representatives of private development organizations, and others involved in the shrimp and agricultural sector were present on the occasion.