Forced Labour and access to Education of Rohingya Refugee Children in Bangladesh: Beyond a Humanitarian Crisis

Abstract

Rohingya refugee children in Bangladesh are forced into labour inside and outside the camps for a range of reasons. The article explores the child labour situations inside and outside the camps and relates the issue with access to education for Rohingya children. Being informed by various perspectives concerning child labour and education in developing country context, this research work takes a qualitative approach to study the issue. After collecting data through a few qualitative methods including observations and semi-structured interviews, the researcher explores the issue with those informed perspectives. The study finds that lack of formal identity, lack access in the formal market, absence of social sanctions against child employment, lack of aspirations, household composition and poor living conditions are some of the key factors that force children to various forms of labour. The host community members employ Rohingya children as cheap labourers and domestic workers while undocumented children often become victims of bonded labour, sex trade and trafficking. Forced labour and lack of access to formal education have formed a humanitarian crisis in the largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar which demands support and actions from local and international agencies.