My company is a spinning mill in Bangladesh. Is a 16 years old person working in my factory considered as child labour?

Yes, a 16-year-old person working in your spinning mill in Bangladesh would be considered child labour according to international labour standards and many national laws, including the legal framework in Bangladesh.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines child labor as work that deprives children of their childhood, potential, and dignity and that is harmful to their physical and mental development. According to ILO conventions, the minimum age for admission to employment should not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and not be less than 15 years. However, there is an exception that allows developing countries to set the minimum age at 14 years under certain conditions.

In Bangladesh, the minimum age for employment is generally set at 14 years under the Bangladesh Labour Act. However, children aged 14 and 15 years are allowed to perform light work not harmful to their health or development, and they should not work in hazardous conditions.

A 16-year-old person working in your spinning mill would still be considered child labour, as they are below the age of 18, which is the minimum age for admission to hazardous work under ILO conventions. It is crucial to respect labour laws and international labour standards to ensure the well-being and rights of young workers. If you have identified underage workers in your factory, take immediate action to remove them from hazardous conditions, provide appropriate care and support, and cooperate with relevant authorities to address the issue responsibly. Additionally, review your hiring and age verification procedures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future and create a safe and compliant working environment