Hazaribagh child labours struggle to survive
“What should I do sir, queries a 14-year-old tannery worker? I only know this job. I don’t enjoy it, but I have no other way to earn a livelihood.”
“I frequently get ill. My father died three years ago. That’s why my mother and I have to do the same job for sustenance,” Rayhan Hossain who works at a leather factory in Hazaribagh of the capital, went on to express his feelings.
Alike Rayhan’s are the stories of thousands of child labourers of the Hazaribagh tanneries. Despite knowing of the health risks, they are working only for their livelihood.
Of all the other workers there, the child labourers are mostly at a great health risk.
Although the High Court had earlier ordered relocation of 154 tanneries from Hazaribagh to the new leather complex at Savar, some 60 to 70 tanneries are still at work in Hazaribagh.
The Department of Environment had stopped electricity and gas supplies to reduce their activity. But they are still carrying on leather processing manually. As a result, the workers have to perform their tasks under extra pressure. Such tasks are mostly done by the child labourers, as they are unable to move to the new tannery estate at Savar.
While visiting the spot, this correspondent found large drums for wet blue kept on the roadside with children carrying the products on their shoulders. Some were seen shifting processed leather from a minibus into a tannery. Not only that, they are washing incoming skins without wearing masks.
Some of the child laborers alleged they are forced to do extra work, counted as overtime. But they are not given proper wages commensurate to their daily task.
Meanwhile, various types of chemical elements such as sulphuric acid, chromium, and lead, very harmful for health, are used in the factories.
There is no arrangement for waste treatment in these factories. As a result, the children are exposed to various skin diseases, respiratory problems, and even cancer.
Dr Tareq Salauddin of Salimullah Medical College and Hospital said, “Such workplaces are very much alarming for their health. Working for long periods of time can make them fall into serious health hazards.”
When contacted, M A Matin, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) said,” The workers are suffering from various diseases due to the unhealthy environment. No safety measures are taken. Such condition is not only harmful to the workers, but also to the nearby people.”
Sources say, 14 thousand child laborers worked in 154 tanneries in Hazaribagh area. Despite a good number of tanneries being shifted to Hemayetpur of Savar, the number of child labourers was only slightly reduced.
Some child experts opine that the government should implement the Child Act, 2010 so that the children are not forced into heavy work, as well as insecure conditions. As most of the child laborers are not aware of their legal rights and demands, the government should tackle the matter as its own concern.
When contacted, Md Shahin Ahamed, Chairman of Bangladesh Tanners’ Association told Bangladesh Post, “Child labourers are not so high here. They work only in some tanneries. To appoint new labour, the owners have to maintain rules and regulations fixed by the association.”
When asked about their work and workplace, he said, “The child workers are engaged only in soft tasks like washing and chemical mixing.”
“We always suggest that the owners ensure a healthy environment, as much as possible,” Shahin Ahamed added.
“I frequently get ill. My father died three years ago. That’s why my mother and I have to do the same job for sustenance,” Rayhan Hossain who works at a leather factory in Hazaribagh of the capital, went on to express his feelings.
Alike Rayhan’s are the stories of thousands of child labourers of the Hazaribagh tanneries. Despite knowing of the health risks, they are working only for their livelihood.
Of all the other workers there, the child labourers are mostly at a great health risk.
Although the High Court had earlier ordered relocation of 154 tanneries from Hazaribagh to the new leather complex at Savar, some 60 to 70 tanneries are still at work in Hazaribagh.
The Department of Environment had stopped electricity and gas supplies to reduce their activity. But they are still carrying on leather processing manually. As a result, the workers have to perform their tasks under extra pressure. Such tasks are mostly done by the child labourers, as they are unable to move to the new tannery estate at Savar.
While visiting the spot, this correspondent found large drums for wet blue kept on the roadside with children carrying the products on their shoulders. Some were seen shifting processed leather from a minibus into a tannery. Not only that, they are washing incoming skins without wearing masks.
Some of the child laborers alleged they are forced to do extra work, counted as overtime. But they are not given proper wages commensurate to their daily task.
Meanwhile, various types of chemical elements such as sulphuric acid, chromium, and lead, very harmful for health, are used in the factories.
There is no arrangement for waste treatment in these factories. As a result, the children are exposed to various skin diseases, respiratory problems, and even cancer.
Dr Tareq Salauddin of Salimullah Medical College and Hospital said, “Such workplaces are very much alarming for their health. Working for long periods of time can make them fall into serious health hazards.”
When contacted, M A Matin, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) said,” The workers are suffering from various diseases due to the unhealthy environment. No safety measures are taken. Such condition is not only harmful to the workers, but also to the nearby people.”
Sources say, 14 thousand child laborers worked in 154 tanneries in Hazaribagh area. Despite a good number of tanneries being shifted to Hemayetpur of Savar, the number of child labourers was only slightly reduced.
Some child experts opine that the government should implement the Child Act, 2010 so that the children are not forced into heavy work, as well as insecure conditions. As most of the child laborers are not aware of their legal rights and demands, the government should tackle the matter as its own concern.
When contacted, Md Shahin Ahamed, Chairman of Bangladesh Tanners’ Association told Bangladesh Post, “Child labourers are not so high here. They work only in some tanneries. To appoint new labour, the owners have to maintain rules and regulations fixed by the association.”
When asked about their work and workplace, he said, “The child workers are engaged only in soft tasks like washing and chemical mixing.”
“We always suggest that the owners ensure a healthy environment, as much as possible,” Shahin Ahamed added.
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