Morelgan (Bagerhat) Correspondent

A special discussion meeting aimed at eliminating child labor was held in Morelganj Upazila of Bagerhat district. The meeting took place on Wednesday at the office of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO). Organized by the World Vision Bangladesh Morelganj AP branch, the event was attended by representatives from the local administration, journalists, volunteer organizations, and various sectors of society.

During the meeting, a list of 83 child laborers working in different factories and business establishments within the upazila was presented. Discussions emphasized the necessity of a coordinated approach to protect children’s rights and eliminate child labor.

The meeting was presided over by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Nazmul Islam, who stated, “Child labor is a significant obstacle to our national development. It hampers the physical and mental growth of children. To address this issue, collective efforts from the local administration, NGOs, and all levels of society are essential.”

Key speakers at the meeting included Secondary Education Officer Saiful Islam, President of Morelganj Upazila Press Club HM Shahidul Islam, senior journalist Moshiur Rahman Masum, and S TV journalist M Shamim Ahsan Mallik. They highlighted the need for raising awareness, expanding educational opportunities, and implementing effective laws to combat child labor.

During the meeting, UNO Md. Nazmul Islam listened to the concerns of affected children and their families, promising special employment initiatives for their rehabilitation. He further announced plans to form a Child Welfare Board in the upazila to take effective measures against child labor.

The meeting, moderated by World Vision Bangladesh Program Officer Milita Sarkar, concluded with participants expressing hope that through collective efforts, child labor could be eradicated from Morelganj Upazila.