YPSA Free Kids (CALL) Project has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tailors and House Wiring Owners’ Association to enhance skill development, ensure learning in a safe work environment, and create internship opportunities for adolescents aged 15 to 18 engaged in hazardous work in Cox’s Bazar.
The MoU signing ceremony took place today (Thursday, 24 September 2026) at the auditorium of Arunodoy School in Cox’s Bazar city, presided over by Muhammad Ali Shahin, Head of Advocacy at YPSA. The event was attended by YPSA Project Officer Zahidul Islam, Program Officer Ali Adnan, representatives from the Tailors and House Wiring Owners’ Association, project staff, vocationally trained adolescents from YPSA, and their parents.
Speaking at the event, Muhammad Ali Shahin stated that eliminating child labor requires more than just removing children from hazardous work; it demands providing education, skill development, and age-appropriate safe employment opportunities. He emphasized that local business owners and employers must collaborate to help vocationally trained adolescents leverage their skills to build honorable livelihoods in the future.
He added that establishing internship and workplace learning opportunities with the support of local businesses will enable trained youth to gain practical experience and prepare for future careers, thereby helping boost their families’ financial capacity.
During the ceremony, the trained adolescents expressed satisfaction at receiving opportunities for skill development and safe careers instead of hazardous labor. Their parents also welcomed the initiative to facilitate safe employment prospects following the training.
Representatives from the Tailors and House Wiring Owners’ Association pledged their support in providing opportunities for the trained adolescents to learn and gain hands-on experience based on their skills. They noted that such coordination with local employers will smooth the transition of trainees into the workforce.
It is worth noting that this initiative has been undertaken under the project titled “Protect children from hazardous labor in Dried Fish and Metal Factory Sector (Free Kids) and enlighten their future,” funded by Solidar Suisse and implemented by YPSA. The project aims to protect children from hazardous sectors such as dried fish processing and metal factories, provide access to education and skill development, and pave the way for safe, dignified future livelihoods.
YPSA officials noted that this MoU will strengthen cooperation in connecting trained adolescents with local employers and expanding opportunities to gain practical experience in safe workplaces following their skill development.
