Thematic Analysis

Theme 1: Legal frameworks and regulations on child labor

Children Act 2013

De Silva, K.B.N., 2021. Child rights in Sri Lanka: Legal framework.

Dr. R Siddiqua, ‘Laws Relating to Child Labour in Bangladesh and their Shortcomings’ [2003]
Bangladesh Journal of Law, Short Article Accessed date- 25/10/2022.

Haspels, N. and Jankanish, M. eds., 2000. Action against child labour.

Labour Act (Amended) 2013, Section 44

Jayathilake, S.P., 2023. A Comparative Analysis of the Existing Legal Framework of Sri Lanka with
Regard to the Elimination of Child Labour in Comparision to the South Asian Jurisdictions of Nepal
and Bangladesh.

J Norpoth, L Grob and R Aktar, ‘Child Labour in Bangladesh- An analysis of gaps and weaknesses of
the existing legal framework’ [2014] Institute of Development Research and Development Policy
Ruhr University Bochum, Analysis Report Accessed on-24/10/2022

Menaka, R.A.H., 2012. Ensure National Security through Protecting Children in Insecurity; A Sri
Lankan Perspective.

Norpoth, J., Groß, L. and Aktar, R., 2014. Child labour in Bangladesh-an analysis of gaps and
weaknesses of the existing legal framework (No. 204). IEE Working Papers.

Sarveswaran, A., 2010. An Evaluation of Sri Lankan Labour Standards in the light of the Core
Conventions of the International Labour Organisation.

Theme 2: Factors contributing to prevalence of child labor

Edmonds, E.V. and Pavcnik, N., 2005. Child labor in the global economy.

Edmonds, E.V., 2007. Child labor.

International Labour Organization. (2017). ILO Global Estimates on Child Labour: Results and Trends,
2012-2016. Retrieved from
https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/documents/publication/
wcms_575499.pdf

Vilela, et al 2020. The role of socio-economic factors in food consumption of Portuguese children
and adolescents: resNational Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2015–2016. British Journal
of Nutrition, 124(6), pp.591-601
Vinodani, H.H.W. and Amarasinghe, S.W., 2017. Exploitation of Child Labour in the Informal Sector of
Sri Lanka’s Rural Economy; A Sociological Study in the Devinuwara Divisional Secretariat Area. Papers
on Peace, Reconciliation and Development Challenges, p.184.

Yunus, M. and Yamagata, T., 2012. The garment industry in Bangladesh. Dynamics of the Garment
Industry in Low-Income Countries: Experience of Asia and Africa (Interim Report).

Theme 3: Enforcement of legal frameworks and effectiveness of interventions

Dissanayake, D., 2021. Occupational “safety and health” in Sri Lanka: in the sight of Labor law: A
qualitative exploration.

Islam, M., 2015. Bangladesh Labour Law-A New Hope for Private Sector Workforces.

Humbert, F., 2009. The challenge of child labour in international law (Vol. 64). Cambridge University
Press.

Siddiqi, F. and Patrinos, H.A., 1995. Child labor: Issues, causes and interventions

Theme Names

Student experience: This theme could include sub-themes such as academic workload, social life,
campus facilities, and overall satisfaction with their experience.

Academic support: This theme could include sub-themes such as access to resources (e.g.,
textbooks, online databases), quality of teaching, and availability of academic advisors.

Diversity and inclusion: This theme could include sub-themes such as representation of diverse
perspectives in curriculum and campus culture, accessibility for students with disabilities, and efforts
to promote equity and inclusion on campus.

Mental health and well-being: This theme could include sub-themes such as availability and quality
of mental health services, stress levels, and support for overall well-being.

Career readiness: This theme could include sub-themes such as access to career counseling,
internship and job opportunities, and preparation for post-graduation success.

Refine and develop themes

Technology and education: Technology has a significant impact on education, both in terms of
teaching and learning. It allows for greater access to information and resources, facilitates
personalized learning, and offers new ways to engage and motivate students. However, it also
presents challenges, such as the digital divide, privacy concerns, and the need for teachers to adapt
their pedagogical strategies.

Online learning: Online learning has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly in
response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers flexibility, convenience, and cost-effectiveness, but
also requires students to have reliable internet access, self-motivation, and strong time-
management skills. Furthermore, research suggests that online learning may not be as effective as
traditional classroom learning in certain contexts.

Learning outcomes: Ultimately, the goal of education is to facilitate learning and promote the
development of knowledge, skills, and competencies. Learning outcomes can be assessed in a
variety of ways, such as standardized tests, student portfolios, and teacher observations. However,
there is ongoing debate about the most appropriate ways to measure learning outcomes and
whether they accurately reflect the full range of student abilities.

Teacher training and professional development: Effective teaching is essential for promoting student
learning and achievement. To this end, teacher training and professional development are critical.
They provide teachers with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to effectively engage and
motivate students, develop effective instructional strategies, and stay up-to-date with the latest
research and best practices.

Equity and diversity: Education should be accessible to all students, regardless of their race,
ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or other demographic characteristics. To achieve this goal, it is
necessary to address issues of equity and diversity in education. This includes providing resources
and support to students who face barriers to learning, promoting inclusive teaching practices, and
creating a welcoming and inclusive school environment.

Organizing themes

Factors affecting employee engagement:

a. Leadership and management practices

b. Organizational culture and climate

c. Employee job satisfaction and motivation

d. Communication and feedback

Outcomes of employee engagement:

a. Improved employee performance and productivity

b. Increased employee retention and loyalty

c. Enhanced customer satisfaction and loyalty

d. Improved organizational reputation and brand image

Strategies for enhancing employee engagement:

a. Developing and implementing effective leadership and management practices

b. Creating a positive organizational culture and climate

c. Encouraging employee participation and involvement

d. Providing opportunities for skill development and career growth

e. Offering competitive compensation and benefits

f. Recognizing and rewarding employee contributions

g. Supporting work-life balance and employee well-being

h. Fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture

i. Providing clear and transparent communication and feedback

These themes provide a structured framework for understanding the key factors affecting employee
engagement, the outcomes of engagement, and the strategies that organizations can use to enhance
employee engagement.

Inerprited and analysed themes

Theme 1: Legal Frameworks for Eliminating Child Labour

This theme highlights the different legal frameworks adopted by Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to
address child labour. Both countries have laws in place that prohibit child labour, but the
implementation of these laws is inadequate. Sri Lanka's legal framework appears to be more
comprehensive and stringent than Bangladesh's legal framework.

Theme 2: Socio-economic factors influencing child labour

This theme highlights the socio-economic factors that contribute to the prevalence of child labour in
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Poverty, lack of education, and inadequate social welfare policies are
some of the factors that make children vulnerable to exploitation. In both countries, child labour is
more prevalent in rural areas and in informal sectors.

Theme 3: Effectiveness of government initiatives

This theme focuses on the effectiveness of government initiatives in addressing child labour in Sri
Lanka and Bangladesh. Both countries have taken steps to combat child labour through policies and
initiatives, but the implementation and enforcement of these initiatives have been weak. In Sri
Lanka, there is a lack of coordination between government agencies, while in Bangladesh, there is a
lack of political will to enforce child labour laws.

Theme 4: Role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

This theme highlights the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in combating child labour
in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. NGOs have played a significant role in raising awareness about child
labour and providing support to children who are at risk of exploitation. However, the effectiveness
of their interventions is limited by a lack of funding and resources.

Based on these themes, it can be concluded that both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have legal
frameworks in place to address child labour, but the implementation and enforcement of these laws
are weak. The prevalence of child labour is driven by socio-economic factors, and government
initiatives to combat child labour have been largely ineffective. NGOs have played an important role
in raising awareness and providing support to children, but their interventions are limited by a lack
of resources.

To better understand these themes, the following charts are provided:

Legal Framework for eliminating Child Labour

5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Child Labour Law

Sri Lanka Bangladesh

Chart 1: Legal Frameworks for Eliminating Child Labour

Legal Frameworks for Eliminating Child Labour Chart

Chart 1 presents a comparison of the child labor laws in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The chart shows
that both countries have similar minimum age requirements for employment, which is 14 years.
However, Sri Lanka has stricter working hour restrictions, allowing children to work only 6 hours per
day and 30 hours per week compared to Bangladesh, which limits children to work no more than 5
hours per day. Both countries prohibit children under 18 from working in hazardous conditions, but
Sri Lanka has a higher age limit compared to Bangladesh. Sri Lanka also has a more extended
education requirement, where children must attend school until age 14, while in Bangladesh, the
requirement is until age 10. In terms of penalties for violators, Sri Lanka imposes a higher fine of up
to LKR 50,000 or imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both, compared to Bangladesh, which has a
maximum fine of BDT 20,000 or imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both. Overall, the comparison
shows that Sri Lanka has more stringent laws and penalties concerning child labor than Bangladesh.

Causes of Child Labour in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Poverty Lack of Education

Sri Lanka Bangladesh

Chart 2: Socio-economic factors influencing child labour

Socio-economic factors influencing child labour Chart

Chart 2 displays the causes of child labor in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The major causes of child
labor in both countries include poverty, lack of education, cultural norms, demand for cheap labor,
and weak law enforcement. Sri Lanka has a poverty rate of 7.4%, and a literacy rate of 92%, whereas
Bangladesh has a poverty rate of 24.3% and a literacy rate of 72.8%. Traditional attitudes towards
gender roles and family responsibilities also contribute to child labor in both countries. The textile
industry and agriculture are major sectors where child labor is prevalent due to the demand for
cheap labor. Weak law enforcement is also a contributing factor in both countries, with Sri Lanka
facing a lack of resources, while Bangladesh has to deal with corruption and a lack of resources. It is
clear that poverty and lack of education are significant factors contributing to child labor in both
countries.

Child Labour on Society

Child labor on society can be analyzed in five fields: education, health, economic, social, and
psychological. In both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, child labor has a detrimental impact on education,
as children are forced to work instead of attending school, which reduces their human capital and
future prospects. Child labor also has negative impacts on the health of children, as they are exposed
to occupational hazards and suffer physical and mental stress. In terms of economic impacts, child
labor reduces productivity and perpetuates poverty. Socially, child labor widens the income gap and
undermines social cohesion. Finally, child labor can also have negative psychological impacts, such as
low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. Overall, it is clear that child labor has far-reaching negative
impacts on society, affecting various aspects of children's lives and the broader community.

Efforts to eliminate child labor

Efforts to eliminate child labor have been made by both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, but challenges
remain. According to the provided text, Sri Lanka faces challenges in implementing legal frameworks
due to the lack of resources and coordination among relevant authorities. Meanwhile, Bangladesh
struggles with the lack of political will and corruption. Additionally, both countries face difficulties in
eliminating child labor practices in the informal sector. A horizontal bar chart can be used to visualize
the major challenges in combating child labor in both countries, which include lack of resources and
coordination, lack of political will and corruption, and the informal sector.

Findings and Recommendations

Based on the above analysis, following findings and recommendations were made.

Findings:

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have made progress in eliminating child labor through legal frameworks,
but challenges remain in implementation and enforcement.

Poverty, lack of education, cultural norms, demand for cheap labor, and weak law enforcement are
some of the main causes of child labor in both countries.

Child labor has negative impacts on education, health, economy, social cohesion, and psychology in
both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Recommendations:

Increase resources and coordination among relevant authorities in Sri Lanka to effectively implement
and enforce legal frameworks.

Address the lack of political will and corruption in Bangladesh to eliminate child labor.

Focus on poverty reduction and education to address the root causes of child labor in both
countries.

Strengthen monitoring and penalties for violators in both formal and informal sectors.

Increase awareness and public education campaigns to shift cultural norms and attitudes towards
child labor.

Provide alternative livelihood opportunities and social protection for families and children affected
by child labor.

Increase international cooperation and support for the elimination of child labor in Sri Lanka and
Bangladesh.