Bangladesh Supreme Court Ruling Shakes Child Labour in Hazardous Factories

A landmark legal battle in Bangladesh has reshaped the fight against child labour in hazardous industries. Two rights organisations, Ain-o-Salish Kendra (ASK) and Aparajeyo Bangladesh, took the government and bidi factory owners to the supreme court over the exploitation of thousands of children in dangerous working conditions. The case exposed systemic failures and led to a historic judgment aimed at ending these abuses.

The petition was filed after investigations revealed shocking figures: between 10,000 and 25,000 children, some as young as four, were working in bidi factories in Haragacha, Rangpur. Medical reports from Rangpur Medical College and Chest Hospital confirmed the deadly toll—five children had died in the five years before the 2010 judgment due to health complications from factory work.

The High Court Division ruled that employing children in bidi factories was unconstitutional, illegal, and a direct violation of their fundamental rights. The judgment went further by declaring that the government had failed to uphold Article 17 of the constitution, which guarantees compulsory education. The Court ordered strict enforcement of labour laws, mandatory medical treatment for affected children, and immediate access to education.

While the ruling was groundbreaking, the Court also acknowledged the deep-rooted challenges. Poverty was identified as the primary driver of child labour, trapping families in a cycle of illiteracy and exploitation. Despite the legal victory, enforcing the orders has proven difficult due to persistent socioeconomic barriers.

The case remains a turning point in Bangladesh's legal history. It revived the country's constitutional and international commitments to eliminate child labour, setting a precedent for future rights-based litigation.

The judgment forced the government to confront the issue of child labour in hazardous industries. It established clear legal obligations to protect children, provide education, and improve working conditions. However, the struggle to implement these changes continues, with poverty and systemic weaknesses still hindering progress.