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only after broad agreement had been reached across ministerial and institutional levels.

“There is a strict constitutional and institutional process for such a declaration. We can react and begin the process once a formal application is submitted, but the momentum must come from the stakeholders themselves.”

While clarifying the legal framework, he acknowledged the risks faced by child domestic workers, noting that children in households are often exposed to sharp objects, open flames, electricity and gas appliances without adequate awareness of the risks.

Referring to several fatalities involving child domestic workers earlier this year, he said the demand to classify domestic work as hazardous was justified.

On World Day Against Child Labour this year, The Daily Star reported renewed calls from rights groups to include domestic work in the list of hazardous occupations for children.

Although Bangladesh has identified 43 hazardous occupations for children following ratification of the ILO convention, the exclusion of child domestic work leaves an estimated 1.5 million children unprotected, according to the Domestic Workers Rights Network, the report said.

Unlike other forms of child labour, domestic work remains uniquely dangerous because the abuse is effectively hidden behind closed doors, shielded from public scrutiny and law enforcement.

Rights advocates have long argued that the lack of institutional recognition leaves these children acutely vulnerable to physical, psychological and verbal abuse.

By formally expanding the hazardous occupations list to include domestic work, the government would provide a legal mechanism to monitor private households and protect vulnerable children trapped in exploitative conditions.