NATORE. Aug 7: Child and female labourers are increasing alarmingly due to bad shape economy of the poor families of vast areas of Na-lore district.

According to an unofficial survey conducted by social wellare activists, about 20 thousand child labourers aged between 8 and 12 years are engaged in different Jobs lor earning their livelihood at Lalpur. Bagatipara. Baraigram, Gurudaspur.Shingra and sadar thanas.

Recurrent drought, hailstorm. Hoods and other natural calamities have made the marginal and landless farmers destitutes. The children of these poor families are

compelled to work in their tender age instead of going to school.

It is also learnt from the survey report that of the total. about 12 thousand are female child labourers.

These child labourers work In hotels, restaurants, motor garages, workshops and houses as maid servants. Some even are found pulling rickshaws, selling bidi and newspapers.

Taking advantage, some unscrupulous businessmen and smugglers engage them in unlawful activities.

According to the International Labour Organisation (1LO). no child below the age of 15 years is allowed to be

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engage in any hard work. But in Bangladesh children below that age work for more than 10 hours a day at a nominal salary

The same survey report added that there are about 30 thousand female labourers in the district and the number is Increasing rapidly. Over 50 per cent of these female labourers are unmarried. Heavy demand for dowry which their parents are unable to meet is the main reason for the situation.

These female workers earn their livelihood by husking paddy, working In brickfields or work as day labourers and serving in different houses as maid servants