A laudable initiative
Kushtia bidi factory owner signs accord not to employ children: NGO to provide schooling
Amanur Aman, Kushtia
It was a unique occasion. In the first such event in the country, a big bidi factory released 200 children from hazardous jobs and signed an agreement not to employ children any more. At the simple and solemn ceremony here on Monday, the children got books from SETU, an NGO, which signed the agreement with the owners of Mansur Bidi Factory. The agreement was sponsored by ILO (International Labour Organization) and IPECL (International Programme for Elimination of Child Labour). Representatives of different international bodies, local NGOs and some other bidi factories, government officials, lawyers, journalists and the local elite were present at the signing ceremony, held at Kushtia municipality auditorium. The event is viewed as a turning point in eliminating child labour from bidi factories and tobacco industry. Representatives of other bidi factories said they are also thinking of eliminating child labour from their factories. "We are also planning to eliminate child labour", said Abu Bakr Siddiqui, who represented Nasir Bidi Factory, a big tobacco industry in the district. Nine-year-old Aminul Islam of Haripur, who had started making bidi sticks since the age of five at Mansur Bidi factory, said he is very happy that he will go to school. "I also want my friends to go to school with me", he told this correspondent. Islam will be among many who will go to school, arranged by SETU with assistance from ILO and other donors. SETU will give all facilities for their education. Those who will not attend school will be trained in different vocations, its officials said. SETU and Bangladesh Trade Union Centre (TUC) have been working to eliminate child labour from hazardous work in bidi factories and tobacco processing units. Kushtia is a tobacco growing area. According to survey made by SETU and TUC, there are about 3000 child labourers in eight big Bidi factories in the district. After signing the agreement Mansur Bidi Factory owner Mosshararf Hossain said he is happy that the children will now go to school. His factory will survive without child workers, he said. Child labour should be eliminated from this hazardous job in unhealthy atmosphere, he said. Mossahraf Hossain, SETU President Omar Ali and ILO Social Monitor ILO Jaganmoy Projesh Biswas signed the agreement. Ahasan Nabab, Assistant Programme Coordinator of TUC moderated the function. It was addressed by, among others, Haripur Union Parishad Chairman Mostak Hossain Murad, journalist Matiur Rahman Laltu, Jasim Uddin Akand, Abu Bakar Siddique of Nasir Bidi factory and ILO official Mahfuz Alam. The speakers urged all bidi factory owners to do away with child labour.
| 
