Occupational Safety among Working Children in the Export Sector of Bangladesh

Consumers in the United States are reluctant to purchase imported products made using child labor, because working is considered harmful to children. This research uses 2002-2003 survey data to investigate whether illness or injury related to occupational hazards depends on whether a child works in the export sector in Bangladesh. Our results indicate that working in the export sector does not significantly contribute to illness or injury. We further analyze whether working in the export sector causes severe illness or injury, but we find no significant relationship between children's work in the export sector and the incidence of severe illness or injury. Our findings underscore the importance workplace safety compliance in the export sector.