No child under 14 can be employed: Cabinet

The cabinet yesterday decided that none under 14 years could be recruited to work, approving the proposal of ratifying ILO Convention-138 which restricted employment of any child below 15.

The cabinet suggested that considering the socio-economic condition of any country, the age limit for work entry should be 14 years.

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

The premier joined the meeting virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban, while her cabinet colleagues were at the meeting room of the Cabinet Division in Bangladesh Secretariat.

"Considering the socio-economic condition of any country, the age limit of recruitment to work could be reduced to 14 years, but not less than it. The cabinet thinks 14-year is suitable for Bangladesh," said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam.

He briefed the newsmen after the Cabinet meeting at Bangladesh Secretariat.

The cabinet secretary said "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 years is required to complete the basic education and that's why no child under 15 can be employed."

But, considering the socio-economic condition in particular, he said, "14-year is suitable for Bangladesh."

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 circumstances.

Children cannot be involved in activities that could lead to accidents or deaths, he said, adding that "And even if children of this age are employed, they cannot be treated as adults."

He continued that they cannot be presented as an adult in marriage or other cases. 

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

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

The Cabinet also approved the draft of Export Policy 2021-2024 brought by the Ministry of Commerce. Normally, the government adopts an export policy every three years.

The cabinet secretary said the policy has been given approval to cope with the upcoming challenges in the wake of the graduation of the country from the LDCs.

 "Product diversification and identifying priority products, expansion of export industry, importance of labour-based export industry, skilled development, making trade and investment easier and adaptation of comprehensive policy as well have been given special focus in the export policy," he said.

He added particularly the country's graduation, 4IR, three year grace period in EU market after the graduation and economic diplomacy have also been given special importance.

Besides, the Cabinet also in principle approved the draft of Bangabandhu Public University Naogaon Act, 2022 and the draft of Thakurgaon University Act, 2022.

With these two new, the cabinet secretary said the number of public universities will reach 52. The country now has 108 private universities.

In addition, a draft of the BIMSTEC Certificate was also approved in the Cabinet meeting.

Regarding the certificate, the cabinet secretary said it needs to be signed before the 5th BIMSTEC Conference scheduled to be held on 30 March in Sri Lanka and that is why it was placed at the Cabinet meeting.

He said Bangladesh would provide secretarial function and the BIMSTEC secretariat would be in Dhaka.

Following the signing of the BIMSTEC Certificate, he said, a free-trade region would be possible to be formed among the member countries alongside the development of communication for transportation of goods.

The Cabinet also apprised of the visits of Bangladesh delegation led by Agriculture Minister to the Netherlands and the United Kingdom during 08-18 November 2021, Bangladesh delegation led by Railways Minister to the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and France from 22nd November to 6th December 2021, and Bangladesh delegation led by Railways Minister to Russia during 18-25 December 2021.