Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ArticleText 48430 2 10 201903012
ArticleText 48430 2 10 201903012
ArticleText 48430 2 10 201903012
net/publication/331433631
CITATIONS READS
3 362
3 authors, including:
Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:
Causes and consequences of being child laborer: A study in Sylhet city View project
All content following this page was uploaded by Md Abdul Ahad on 10 September 2020.
Authors’ contributions
This work was carried out in collaboration between all authors. Author MAA designed the study,
performed the statistical analysis, wrote the protocol and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Author
FE collected data and managed the analyses of the study. Author MC managed the literature
searches. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Article Information
DOI: 10.9734/SAJSSE/2018/v2i125822
Editor(s):
(1) Dr. Wichien Prechathamwong, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Faculty of
Social Sciences, Kasetsart University, Bangkhen Campus, Thailand.
Reviewers:
(1) M. Mudasir Naqshbandi, Amar Singh College, IGNOU, India.
(2) Ozoh Joan Nwamaka, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria.
`Complete Peer review History: http://prh.sdiarticle3.com/review-history/26330
st
Received 1 July 2018
Accepted 13th September 2018
Original Research Article
Published 20th September 2018
ABSTRACT
In Bangladesh, children are working under hazardous condition due to the necessity that pushes
them to labour. The present study is an attempt to explore the socio-economic conditions of child
labourers, working conditions as well as employer’s views regarding child labours of Sylhet city. The
study was conducted through personal interview with 70 child labourers and 50 employers. The
simple random sampling procedure was used to select respondents. The study reveals that 48%
cannot read and write. In case of occupation, 20% are automobile worker, 18% are rickshaw puller
and 13% are domestic labor. About 64% of child labourers are landless, and 40% of the child
labourer's monthly income rages from 600-1000 Taka as well as 40% are dependent on employer’s
convenience. About 45% child labourer's working in hazardous environment and 76% are working
11 or more hours per day. Safeguard and medical facilities from owner’s side are not satisfactory.
According to employers view, 32% and 28% recruit child labourers because of their obedience and
availability of child workers respectively. Most of the employer’s (46%) recruit child labourer through
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
the help of worker’s parents/relatives. Almost all of the employers revealed that they do not provide
medical, transportation, even training facilities to the child labourers. But 84% of the employers
provide foods during work time. The above data are clearly reflecting the hazardous circumstances
of child labourers. Finally, areas and context-specific data are essential to raise awareness against
child labour and also for future policies and effective surveillance initiatives.
Keywords: Hazardous; working environment; employer; child laborer; Sylhet City and Bangladesh.
2
Ahad et al.; SAJSSE, 2(1): 1-7, 2018; Article no.SAJSSE.44291
killing and kidnapping of working children in statistics were used. Moreover, data were also
urban areas. So it is demand of time to analysed using MS Word and Excel. Then data
investigate the current situation of the children ware also presented in tabular form with
working in Sylhet deeply and thoroughly. The significant interpretations.
findings of the study in Sylhet city may reflect the
real picture of child worker and it may be helpful 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
for the different GO’s and NGO’s to adopt
effective strategies and policies. 3.1 Socio-economic Characteristics of
Child Laborers
The specific objectives of this study are as
follows: Table 1 gives a short description of the socio-
economic variables considered in the study. The
1. To assess the socio-economic background prevalence of child labour is high in the age
of the working children groups 9-11 and 12-14, which is 20% and 64%
2. To explore the nature of employment and respectively. Study shows that 92% of the child
working environment. labourers were unmarried. In case of literacy,
3. To analyze the employers perception highest 48% revealed that they cannot read
regarding child laborers. and write, while 28% can only read. Study also
found that, highest 20% were automobile worker,
2. METHODS AND MATERIALS 18% were rickshaw puller, and 13% were
domestic labour. About 88% were living in
The present research has taken considering extended type of family while only 12% were
Pathantula, Amberkhana, Shahi Eidgah, living in nuclear family. In case of nature of
Shibgang and Court Point (Bondor) areas of guardianship, study shows that 72% are male
Sylhet city, because child laborer are much headed family, while 8% were living without any
available in these areas. Children living in the guardianship. About 64% of child laborers were
selected areas under the age of 18 years who landless while only 36% own only homestead
were involved in different job sectors and their land. Table 1 shows that 20% of the child
employers have constituted the universe of the labourer's household income ranges from
study. The snow-ball sampling procedure was 2501-3000, while highest 60% respondents
used to identify the respondents. Data were household income is above 4000. In contrary,
collected from seventy (70) child labourers as 40% of the child labourer's monthly income
group one and fifty (50) employers as group two ranges from 600-1000 and 40% income level
by using personal interview technique. Keeping fixed up in only convenience. Highest 44% gives
in view of the major objectives of the study, a whole income to their parents for family
draft interview schedule was prepared. The draft expenses, while 32% gives a part of total income
schedule was tested and finalized after to their parents. From the Table 1, it was also
necessary correction, modifications and found that 64% of the respondents revealed that
adjustments. Primary data were collected by the their father was illiterate and 88% of the
researcher from the selected areas through face- respondents said that their mother was illiterate.
to-face interview using a structured In addition, 56% respondents said their fathers
questionnaire. At this stage utmost attempt was were involved in no-agricultural sectors, while
applied to become intimate with child labourers 72% revealed that their mothers were
through gossiping, exchanging greetings, general housewives.
discussions etc. After completing each interview,
the questionnaires were checked and verified to 3.2 Nature of Employment and Working
be sure that answer to each question was Environment
properly recorded. Hence, all possible efforts
have been made by the researcher in order to Nature of employment and working environment
ensure that the collected data were reasonably expose the domination as well as hazardous
accurate and reliable. The data and information working pattern. The present study comprises
were collected from the sample respondents mode of payment, working environment, working
from January to March, 2016. However, some hours, safety measure, treatment facilities,
secondary data was also used from the training facilities, leisure hours, etc to examine
secondary sources like Government report, book, the nature of employment and working
numerous journals, thesis paper and so on. To environment. The present study revealed that
analyze and interpret the data descriptive 46.67% child labourers were getting their salary
3
Ahad et al.; SAJSSE, 2(1): 1-7, 2018; Article no.SAJSSE.44291
monthly, whereas 40% only get conveyance 8 hours per day. Alongside, 87% revealed that
cost. About 55% of the respondents revealed precaution or safety measure in the working
that their working environment is favourable for place was not satisfactory. About 64% of the
them, while rest 45% found the working respondents said that there were high
environment as hazardous. Table 2 shows that probabilities of a happening accident in the
76% of the child labourers worked 11 or more workplace and 3% did not show any response in
hours per day. On contrary, only 8% worked 7 to this aspect.
4
Ahad et al.; SAJSSE, 2(1): 1-7, 2018; Article no.SAJSSE.44291
5
Ahad et al.; SAJSSE, 2(1): 1-7, 2018; Article no.SAJSSE.44291
The present study demonstrates that 27% of Besides, Table 3 shows that 46% of the
children have stated that, they have not to face employers recruited child labourer through
any dangers while working. Highest 53% children worker's parents/relatives, while 32% said that
have stated that the various other dangers such worker's were directly made contact with them
as accidents, blackening of hand and face due to for job. About 90% of the employer’s revealed
smoke of diesel, congested work place, handling that they did not provide any medical facilities to
of delicate tools, oil spill, heavy work load, low workers. About 64% of the employers stated that
light etc. Almost all the respondents (97%) said they provide transportation facility through
that they never get treatment facilities when they providing additional wages for this, while 36% did
face any physical problem in the workplace. not provide this facility. In addition, 84% of the
About 88% revealed that they do not get any employers said that they supply foods during the
leisure hour during the working schedule. It was time of work. The present study also shows that
also found from the study that 94% of the total highest 84% of the employers did not offer any
child labourers did not get any sorts of training training or workshop facilities for workers.
facilities in their total working span.
4. CONCLUSION
3.3 Employers Perception Regarding
Child Labor Child labour is now an important social concern
both nationally and internationally. Children’s
Employer’s view regarding child labour is crucial workings in hazardous sectors are at high risk of
to find out the root cause of child labour as well health hazard. They are also suffering from
as employers services for the child labourers. various forms of exploitation and abuse. The
The present section of the study covers the present research explored their deteriorated
reason and method of recruiting child labourers situation in some extent. From the present study,
and services they provide like medical, it is obvious that their socioeconomic condition is
transportation and training/workshop facilities, reasonably vulnerable. They are neglected by
food supply in the workplace, etc. It was found their rights and duties. Most of them are working
from the present research that 32%, 28% and in hazardous sectors. Most of their parents are
24% of the employers said they hired child illiterate. Their income depends on the
labourers because of their obedience, availability convenience of the owner. Most of them only get
of child workers and lower wages respectively. travel cost although works for more than eleven
6
Ahad et al.; SAJSSE, 2(1): 1-7, 2018; Article no.SAJSSE.44291
Peer-review history:
The peer review history for this paper can be accessed here:
http://prh.sdiarticle3.com/review-history/26330