Staff Correspondent

Representatives of development agencies yesterday stressed the need for enacting new laws to ensure the protection and rights of children engaged in domestic work. Agreeing with this perspective, lawmakers stated that the government is sincere in protecting children's rights. They mentioned that various steps, including the formulation of laws and policies, have already been taken in this regard. However, new laws will be enacted if necessary to protect the large number of child domestic workers from physical, mental, economic, and sexual abuse, they added.

The remarks were made during a dialogue titled "Necessity of a Specific Law for the Rights and Protection of Children Engaged in Domestic Work," held at the Parliament Members' Club of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Tuesday. Deputy Speaker Shamsul Haq Tuku was present at the dialogue as the chief guest.

Presided over by the Executive Director of Action for Social Development (ASD), MA Karim, the dialogue was addressed by several key figures, including Member of Parliament from Habiganj-1 constituency Amatul Kibria Keya Chowdhury, Member of Parliament Md. Rashiduzzaman from Khulna-6 constituency, Member of Parliament for a reserved women's seat Laila Parveen Sejuti, Ruma Chakraborty, and Anima Mukti Gomez. Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University teacher Mir Mohammad Ali, Shapla Nir Country Director Tamko Uchiyama, UNICEF representative Fatema Khairunnahar, SCAN General Secretary Moniruzzaman Mukul, and ASD's Md. Hamidur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.

Deputy Speaker Shamsul Haq Tuku remarked that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working to ensure the protection of every child to make them citizens of modern Bangladesh. He noted that while legal requirements are crucial for child protection, laws alone are not sufficient. To realize the fundamental rights of children engaged in domestic work, they should be treated as part of the household, he observed.

The Deputy Speaker said that in a "Smart Bangladesh," regulations should be established for the recruitment of domestic workers. He further mentioned that secondary education should be compulsory for every child along with primary education, which would significantly reduce child labor. However, he emphasized that if any legal corrections are needed, the law ministry and experts should prepare a comprehensive draft and present it to the government.

Ruling party lawmaker Rashiduzzaman highlighted that the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, took special initiatives to protect children. Following this, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has amended and revised child-friendly laws and policies. "An action plan has been adopted, and the necessary budget has been allocated," he said, expressing hope that the country will soon be free from child labor, as announced by the Prime Minister.

Pediatrician Sharfuddin Khan presented the main paper at the dialogue. He stated that the government has demonstrated its commitment to protecting the rights of all children in the country by signing international human rights and child rights instruments. "To ensure the rights and protection of child domestic workers in line with these promises and commitments, it's necessary to create age-appropriate laws and ensure their effective implementation," he concluded.