Vulnerabilities of Rohingya and host community children in Bangladesh: A qualitative study on child labor, well-being, and the impact of COVID-19

Stateless Rohingya children in Bangladesh’s refugee camps, lacking citizenship or legal safeguards, face heightened risks of human rights abuses like child labor and early marriage. This qualitative study explored these challenges, comparing Rohingya and host community children, specifically regarding child labor and well-being. Conducted from February 23 to March 18, 2022, the research employed 20 in-depth interviews with children (aged 11–17) and 20 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with stakeholders and leaders. Due to restrictions, child interviews relied on note-taking, while KIIs were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. A combination of convenience and purposive sampling methods was used to select participants. Findings revealed that child labor significantly harms well-being in both communities. Children’s vulnerability makes them easy targets for exploitation through low wages and intimidation. Economic necessity frequently compels families to send children to work, severely impacting their education and development. Older boys (15–17 years) were more commonly engaged in paid work than girls. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation, increasing child labor in sectors like shop/restaurant assistance and driving three-wheelers. The KIIs identify specific types of labor, such as carrying goods, farming, and construction work, that were prevalent among children. Key drivers included illness of primary earners, lack of access to education, and children needing income for personal expenses. Hazardous tasks like handling gas cylinders or carrying heavy loads pose serious health risks, causing physical pain, injuries, and mental strain. KIIs further highlighted rampant camp issues like child marriage, trafficking, and other violence, disproportionately affecting girls. Urgent, comprehensive interventions are critical. Breaking this cycle requires collaborative stakeholder efforts to establish robust support systems encompassing education, healthcare, and legal protections. Without immediate action, these children’s futures remain perilously at risk, perpetuating cycles of poverty and exploitation.