Forced to Grow Up - Story of Kamrul, a Child Labourer
At 11 years old
Kamrul* began to work 6.5 days a week, 12 hours a day to provide for his family.
His father had abandoned the family after moving from the village to Dhaka city in Bangladesh, leaving behind his mother and three children - Kamrul and his two sisters.
Q: Are you currently going to school?
It's been 3 years since I stopped going to school. I need to work to provide for my family.
“I am working at a leather factory right now. Work starts at 8am and ends at 8pm. I work for 6.5 days a week. After I come home from work, I will play with my friends on the street for a while before I take a bath and go to sleep."
Q: How much do you earn monthly?
I earn 5,000 taka a month (S$1.90 a day). I give all the money to my mother to take care of the family's needs.
Q: Have you thought of being able to leave your work and go back to school?
I used to feel tired from my daily work but now I have gotten used to it. There have been days where I think of leaving my work and going back to school, but if I leave, who will provide for my family?
“World Vision Bangladesh staff have been encouraging Kamrul ever since they got to know him. He's got potential to do better than just working in a leather factory. I hope he will enrol into World Vision's programme so that he knows that he is not invisible in the eyes of the society, and has the courage to pursue a brighter future.
When you are able to help that one child, you are helping many children including their families. This is the power of collective support, love and contribution."
Belinda Lee
World Vision Singapore Goodwill Ambassador
Cross Ration Artiste
1.7 million1 children in Dhaka, Bangladesh are engaged in Child Labour.
Forms of child labour include production of dried fish, bricks, garments and leather goods, using hazardous machinery and handling chemicals without protective equipment. The number of labour inspectors is insufficient for the size of the workforce and fines are inadequate to deter child labour law violations.
1 National Child Labour Survey 2022 by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics
From Earning Back to Learning
- Help Child Labourers Go Back to School in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Support Children in the Slums to help urban poor children thrive.
