DHAKA:  The High Court asked the government to amend the labour law for preventing child-labour recruitment in bidi factories.

In its four directives the HC directed the government to impose ban on bidi making by child labourers outside of the bidi factories at Haragachha in Rangpur, ensure government allocation alongside wages for the labourers’ education, stop advancing money by usurers under dadon system in costal zones, and reform the labour law to make provision of compensation or fine as punishment.

The HC bench comprising Justice Iman Ali and Justice Obaidul Hasan issued the orders Sunday in response to a long-pending writ petition.

Ain O Shalish Kendra and Aparajeo Bangladesh filed the writ petition in 2004 following two reports in two dailies on ‘inhuman livelihood of child labour in bidi factories’.

Dr Nayeem Ahmed moved for the petitioners.

BDST: 1539HRS; SEP 5, 2010