প্রকাশ: 28/02/2022
The Cabinet today 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 socioeconomic
condition of any country, the age limit of 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 adult."
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 being emerged following 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 today's Cabinet meeting.
Regarding the certificate, the cabinet secretary said it
needs to be signed before the 5th BIMSTEC Conference scheduled to be held
on March 30 in Sri Lanka and that is why it was placed at the Cabinet
meeting.
He said Bangladesh would provide secretarial function and
BIMSTEC secretariat would be in Dhaka.
Following the sign of 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.
প্রধান সম্পাদকঃ সৈয়দ বোরহান কবীর
ক্রিয়েটিভ মিডিয়া লিমিটেডের অঙ্গ প্রতিষ্ঠান
বার্তা এবং বাণিজ্যিক কার্যালয়ঃ ২/৩ , ব্লক - ডি , লালমাটিয়া , ঢাকা -১২০৭
নিবন্ধিত ঠিকানাঃ বাড়ি# ৪৩ (লেভেল-৫) , রোড#১৬ নতুন (পুরাতন ২৭) , ধানমন্ডি , ঢাকা- ১২০৯
ফোনঃ +৮৮-০২৯১২৩৬৭৭