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Home /  Trafficking & Forced Labour  

Child labor situation in nepal: challenges and ways forward.

Year of Publication: 27 June 2023 | My Republica

Published by: CESLAM

Child labor continues to remain a pervasive problem even after three decades of collaborative efforts for its prohibition and regulation in Nepal. According to the Nepal Child Labor Report 2021 prepared by the International Labor Organisation (ILO), 1.1 million children aged 5 to 17 years are engaged in child labor (in 2018) compared to 2.6 million (in 1998). Whilst national statistics show some improvement, other studies have shown grave concern for children engaged in the hidden and exploitative forms of labor in Nepal. There is no denying that child labor compounded by social, cultural, economic, and political factors remains a grave concern for all stakeholders in the country.

On the occasion of the ‘World Day Against Child Labor’ on 12th June, the government and its development partners are hosting several events throughout the month. This article discusses some pertinent issues and offers pragmatic suggestions to make this year’s slogan ‘Social Justice for All: End Child Labor’ a reality.

Why is eliminating child labor a priority?

Children forced to work in exploitative labor conditions are not only deprived of their fundamental rights to education, health, childhood development, sports, safety, and protection (as enshrined in Nepal’s Constitution) but it also directly impacts their physical, social, and emotional development. Several legislations and policies: Child Labor Prohibition and Regulation Act (2000), The Labor Act (2017), the Children’s Act (2018), and Muluki Civil Code (2017) among others recognize child labor as a human rights violation. As a signatory to various international treaties, Nepal is committed to achieving the targets of sustainable development goals (particularly SDG target 8.7) and even developed a roadmap for eliminating the worst forms of child labor by 2030. Despite all these efforts, a significant number of children are still working as child laborers in various sectors, enterprises, and informally. To achieve this goal, all levels of the government, CSOs and the private sector need to work collaboratively to push forward the child protection agenda and support vulnerable children and their families.

First and foremost, in the federalised structure of Nepal, several existing policies and mechanisms envisioned by the Children’s Act 2018 need adaptation and contextualization. As such, there is a dire need to define the worst forms of child labor and update the list of hazardous work including hidden forms of child labor and economic exploitation. The limited labor inspectors cannot monitor the entire country. Strong emphasis should be given to building capacities of local bodies including child rights committees that should actively participate in key decisions made for working children.

Second, it is imperative to strengthen the child protection mechanisms at the local, provincial, and federal levels that have specific mandates and enhanced financial, technical, and human resource capacities to address the issue of child labor properly. While it is praiseworthy to see an increasing number of child welfare authorities assigned to the local municipalities, there is a massive need for their capacity development. The provision of child funds with clear guidelines is critical that specify roles and mechanisms to support vulnerable children. Only after having all these mandatory provisions, the government’s vision to enforce child labour-free declaration campaigns can sustain.

Third, the need for a proper data management system and the use of data and evidence for combating child labor is significant.There is a plethora of studies done on child labor. However, they are seldom used as tools for advocacy and guide the development of plans and programmes. One of the ground-breaking participatory action research programmes - Child Labor Action Research Innovation in South and South-Eastern Asia (CLARISSA) collected and analyzed the life stories of 400 Nepali children working in ‘dohori’ restaurants, dance bars, spa-massage parlors, eateries and guest houses. The research highlighted several factors besides the poor economic condition such as family conflict, alcoholic parents, sickness and death of family members, extramarital affairs of parents and peer influence as the key drivers that pushed them into child labor. The findings of such studies will be instrumental in developing specific interventions sensitizing parents and guardians, teachers, and employers, on the risks of child labor as well as encouraging them to value children’s participation and protection of children.

Fourth, it is notable to support the initiative led by Nepali children and youths engaged in the worst forms of child labor in building their agencies. On 16-20 January 2023, representatives of committees/associations of working children from 16 countries (including Nepal) gathered in Kigali Rwanda demanding better policymaking and practice from the local to the global level. The development actors should promote such events and foster the exchange of learning and sharing of best practices, and innovative approaches to address the issues of child labor within and amongst all concerned line departments and agencies.

Last and most important, there is a great scope to strengthen inter-governmental coordination with the National Child Rights Council and specify the role and responsibilities of concerned departments within the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens and Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs in the monitoring of the labor situation and mobilize resources to support the rescue and rehabilitation efforts. National and international NGOs need to support system strengthening based on their global and national expertise and work with agencies at all levels to develop strategic plans to address child labor. Private businesses also have a critical role to safeguard their business and showcase ethical work and ensure a decent working environment for all.

Published on: 27 June 2023 | My Republica

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Child labour rises to 160 million – first increase in two decades, the international labour organization and unicef warn that the pandemic context may threaten nepal’s progress in eradicating child labour.

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Kathmandu, 11 June 2021 – The number of children in child labour has risen to 160 million worldwide – an increase of 8.4 million children in the last four years – with millions more at risk due to the impacts of COVID-19, according to a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF.

Child Labour: Global estimates 2020, trends and the road forward – released ahead of World Day Against Child Labour on 12 th June – warns that progress to end child labour has stalled for the first time in 20 years, reversing the previous downward trend that saw child labour fall by 94 million between 2000 and 2016.

The report points to a significant rise in the number of children aged 5 to 11 years in child labour, who now account for just over half of the total global figure. The number of children aged 5 to 17 years in hazardous work – defined as work that is likely to harm their health, physical safety and psychological wellbeing – has risen by 6.5 million to 79 million since 2016.

“These new estimates indicate that despite the increasing commitment and efforts by governments, the social partners and civil society to tackle child labour, the problem remains on a massive scale, said ILO Director for Country Office in Nepal Richard Howard. “This situation represents an intolerable violation of the rights of individual children, it perpetuates poverty and it compromises economic growth and equitable development. It is high time for all of us to join forces and implement programmes to address vulnerabilities associated with child labour, including lack of social protection and decent work opportunities for families vulnerable to poverty and exclusion.”

The report warns that globally, 9 million additional children are at risk of being pushed into child labour by the end of 2022 as a result of the pandemic. A simulation model shows this number could rise to 46 million if they don’t have access to critical social protection coverage.

Even in regions where there has been some headway since 2016, such as Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean, COVID-19 is endangering that progress.

In Nepal, the pandemic is also impacting on the progress in eradicating child labour. Indeed, the Nepal Child Labour Report 2021, a joint publication of the ILO and Central Bureau of Statistics shows a declining trend of overall child labour in Nepal, reaching 1.1 million in 2018 from 1.6 million in 2008. A significant decline is observed in the number of children in hazardous occupations (0.62 million in 2008 to 0.22 million in 2018).

This important progress made is now challenged by the socioeconomic realities of the COVID 19 pandemic. Children in child labour are at risk of physical and mental harm. Child labour compromises children’s education, restricting their rights and limiting their future opportunities, and leads to vicious inter-generational cycles of poverty and child labour.

“Preventing child labour and protecting children from the associated risks of physical and mental harm, school drop-out and exploitation were already major challenges prior to COVID-19. As the new data shows, the severe socio-economic impact of the pandemic has hit families with children particularly hard. According to the rapid Child & Family Tracker survey carried out in late May, over 50 per cent of families across Nepal have lost jobs and related livelihoods in the current context.” said Elke Wisch, UNICEF Representative in Nepal. “Increased economic hardship combined with school closures caused by COVID-19 place children already in child labour at increased risk of working longer hours or under worsening conditions, while many more may be forced into the worst forms of child labour due to job and income losses among vulnerable families. Our collective success in combatting COVID-19 needs to also be measured in the number of families we are supporting through these dire circumstances and the girls and boys who can continue to strive, grow and develop. This is not out of reach – It can be achieved through our collective investment in programmes that not only get children out of the workforce and back into school, but also social work and social protection programmes that can help families avoid making this choice in the first place.”

To reverse the upward trend in child labour, the ILO and UNICEF are calling for:

• Adequate social protection for all, including universal child benefits and eligibility criteria taking into account households socio-economic characteristics.
• Increased spending on quality education and getting all children back into school - including children who were out of school before COVID-19.
• Promotion of decent work for adults, so families don’t have to resort to children helping to generate family income.
• An end to harmful gender norms and discrimination that influence child labour.
• Investment in child protection systems, social work, agricultural development, rural public services, infrastructure and livelihoods.

As part of the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour , the global partnership Alliance 8.7 , of which UNICEF and ILO are partners, is encouraging member States, business, trade unions, civil society, and regional and international organizations to redouble their efforts in the global fight against child labour by making concrete action pledges.

Nepal is a pathfinder country of the Global Alliance 8.7 Alliance. This year, more than ever it is critical to expand the path to opportunities, safety and care for all the children of Nepal.   

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अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय श्रम संगठनको  बारेमा  .

श्रम मापदण्ड तय गर्न, सम्पूर्ण महिला तथा  पुरूषहरूका लागि मर्यादित कामको प्रवर्दन गर्ने नीति एवं कार्यक्रमको विकास गर्नको लागि संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघका १८७ वटा सदस्य राष्ट्रका सरकार, रोजगारदाता र कामदारहरूलाई सन् १९१९ देखि एकै ठाउँमा उभ्याईरहेको एक मात्र त्रिपक्षीय संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघीय निकाय हो। अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय श्रम संगठन, एक मात्र त्रिपक्षीय संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघीय निकायले १८७ वटा सदस्य राष्ट्रका सरकार, रोजगारदाता र कामदारहरूलाई श्रम मापदण्ड तय गर्न, सम्पूर्ण महिला तथा  पुरूषहरूका लागि मर्यादित कामको प्रवर्दन गर्ने नीति एवं कार्यक्रमको विकास गर्नको लागि एकै ठाउँमा ल्याउदछ । थप जानकारीको लागि www.ilo.org मा जानुहोस्।

युनिसेफको बारेमा  

युनिसेफले विश्वकै सबै भन्दा वन्चितिकरणमा परेका बालबालिकाहरूसम्म पुग्नको लागि विश्वकै चुनौती पुर्ण क्षेत्रहरुमा काम गर्दछ । १९० भन्दा बढी देशहरु तथा भु-भागहरुमा हामीले हरेक मानिसको लागि राम्रो संसार बनाउनको लागि हरेक बालबालिकाको लागि सबै ठाउँमा काम गर्छौं । युनिसेफ तथा बालबालिकाको लागि यसले गर्ने कार्यको बारेमा थप जानकारीको लागि   www.unicef.org  मा जानुहोस्।  Twitter ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  र   YouTube मा हामीलाई फलो गर्नुहोस् । 

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Exploring Parental Involvement Practices of Child Rearing In Five Major Cities of Nepal

2021, Volume 1, Issue 1

Child rearing in Nepali families has evolved with parents getting aware about more scientific method of child rearing. However, the traditional child rearing practices is still dominant in majority of Nepali families. Father’s role has not been so significant during delivery and as well as prior to it. Present families with the parents’ age in the range of 25 to 40 years have adopted various types of parenting along with traditional practices. In this work, prevalent types of modern parenting styles along with how they have taken common traditional practices of child rearing have been assessed in five major cities of Nepal, namely, Itahari, Udayapur, Kathmandu, Butwal and Pokhara. Thirty-five questions were developed on the basis of Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ 1991). Based on this, parents were interviewed and scores were assigned to each answer. Standard scores for authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and traditional parenting styles were generated for each parenting scores with process of division by number of corresponding questions associated with each type of parenting. Then, data were processed using MS Excel. All the cities were observed to have more than sixty percent of families who have adopted authoritative parenting style and less than ten percent were found to be in permissive parenting domain. However, all categories of parenting have constantly continued their traditional practices as well. Keywords: Authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, quantitative, parenting, culture, pregnancy, postnatal, Nepal

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The National Child Labor Committee: Pioneers in Child Welfare Reform

This essay is about the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC), an organization founded in 1904 to combat child labor in the United States. It discusses the NCLC’s efforts to raise public awareness through documentation, particularly the impactful photography of Lewis Hine, and its advocacy for legislative reforms. Key achievements include the passage of the Keating-Owen Act in 1916 and contributions to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. The essay highlights how the NCLC changed public perceptions about child labor, emphasizing education and child development. It also notes the ongoing relevance of the NCLC’s mission in addressing global child labor issues today.

How it works

Amidst the early 20th-century landscape of the United States, a phase characterized by swift industrialization and burgeoning economic prosperity, lurked a darker narrative overshadowed by the shadows of exploitation and adversity, especially for the younger populace. The scourge of child labor cast a grim shadow, with tender souls, both boys and girls, subjected to grueling hours amidst perilous and unsanitary conditions. It was within this challenging milieu that the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) emerged in 1904, assuming a pivotal role in the crusade against child labor and the enhancement of juvenile welfare nationwide.

Comprised of progressive reformists spanning social work, academia, and politics, the NCLC rallied against the exploitation of minors ensnared in the gears of factories, mines, and other labor-intensive domains. Their ambition extended to the compilation of exhaustive data on child labor practices and the fervent advocacy for legislative reforms aimed at safeguarding the young. Central to the committee’s arsenal was the compelling utilization of visual documentation, notably photography, to unveil the stark realities of child labor to the broader populace. The evocative work of lensman Lewis Hine, chronicling the toils of youthful laborers nationwide, proved particularly influential in stirring public consciousness and mobilizing support for reform.

However, the NCLC encountered formidable obstacles in its path. During this epoch, numerous enterprises heavily leaned on child labor to trim expenses and augment profits, breeding staunch resistance against any measures jeopardizing the established economic order. Moreover, prevailing sentiments within certain segments of society extolled the virtues of labor for juveniles, viewing it as a character-building endeavor fostering discipline and warding off idleness. Overcoming entrenched attitudes demanded a multifaceted approach, weaving advocacy, enlightenment, and legislative endeavors.

A crowning achievement for the NCLC materialized with the enactment of the Keating-Owen Act in 1916. This federal statute sought to curb child labor by interdicting the interstate commerce of commodities manufactured in facilities employing underage workers. Although the judiciary deemed the act unconstitutional in 1918, its passage signified a significant stride forward, epitomizing a burgeoning national consensus against child labor. Undeterred, the NCLC persisted in its advocacy, ultimately contributing to the integration of child labor provisions within the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. This landmark legislation prescribed minimum age thresholds and capped work hours for minors, furnishing much-needed safeguards and mitigating the exploitation of juvenile laborers.

Beyond its legislative triumphs, the NCLC wielded substantial influence in reshaping societal perceptions surrounding child labor. Through extensive educational campaigns, the committee catalyzed a paradigm shift, accentuating the primacy of childhood education and development over toil. They underscored the imperative of affording youngsters the opportunity to blossom, learn, and flourish within secure and nurturing environments. This ideological metamorphosis proved instrumental in fostering a culture revering the rights and well-being of children.

The enduring legacy of the National Child Labor Committee transcends its immediate accomplishments, laying a cornerstone for subsequent endeavors in child welfare and serving as a template for advocacy and reform across broader realms of social justice. The committee’s endeavors underscored the potency of grassroots activism and the efficacy of public engagement in precipitating substantive change. By thrusting the issue of child labor into the national limelight, the NCLC contributed to the emergence of a society prioritizing the protection and nurturing of its youngest denizens.

In the contemporary milieu, while instances of child labor have markedly diminished within the United States, the mission espoused by the NCLC retains its relevance. Globally, child labor persists as a pressing quandary, with millions of minors ensnared in hazardous occupations. The principles and methodologies espoused by the NCLC continue to inform contemporary advocacy endeavors, serving as a poignant reminder that the struggle for children’s rights constitutes an ongoing endeavor necessitating vigilance, dedication, and collective action.

In summation, the National Child Labor Committee stands as a transformative force in the annals of American history, championing the rights of minors and spearheading pivotal reforms aimed at eradicating child labor. Through its unwavering advocacy, legislative triumphs, and endeavors to reshape public perceptions, the NCLC played a pivotal role in sculpting a more equitable and compassionate society. Its enduring legacy serves as a beacon of inspiration and guidance for contemporary initiatives aimed at fortifying and promoting the well-being of children on a global scale.

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