Photo Feature
Children of the Docks
A photo feature by K M Asad

This ship breaking yard by the Buriganga River in Dhaka is one of the largest industries in Bangladesh. A large community has developed surrounding this industry, where workers dream that their children will grow up to help them in this trade, and the children aspire to develop their lives here.

Some children start work from the age of four or five, not receiving any salary for the first few years while being apprentices. They grow up to be hard workers in a hazardous environment.

Mojid, Noor, Shadin, Babu, Usuf, Shoil, Shiplu, Mojid, Rony, Mona and Belaal all work in different factories here. They come from all over the country to Dhaka with their parents, dreaming of developing skills and, one day, becoming successful. At an age when they should be in school or playing with friends, they have instead picked up heavy tools to earn a livelihood.