Socio-Economic Condition of Domestic Child Labor (A Case Study of Lazimpat Area, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal)

Abstract

The report "Socio-Economic Condition of Domestic Child Labor" is produced in partial fulfillment of the Master's Degree in Rural Development at Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu. This study was carried out in Lazimpat area of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. The aim of this study is to examine the socio- economic condition of domestic child labors in the Kathmandu Metropolis. Child labour is a common phenomenon of Nepali society, which is prevalent both in formal as well as informal sectors. Rapid population growth has compelled children to seek employment for the survival of the families to which they belong, even though it is considered undesirable because it has long-term implications on their education, health and human development aspects as a whole. The child labour problem in the country is a serious problem though 'Constitution the Kingdom of Nepal 1990' protects the rights and interest of children. The government of Nepal also has ratified various conventions related to child right and elimination of child labour. The reason behind the problem of child labour is not only the economic condition of the country, but also the lack of dedication of the concerned government authorities for effective implementation of the labour policies and Acts. The different estimates of child labour show diverse figures mainly due to the variation in sector of employment, area coverage, methodology used, etc. The national survey (1997) of child labour based on the information obtained from 73 districts of the country estimates that 40 percent children of Nepal were working within and out-side their home both in formal and informal sector. The major share was of agricultural sector. Similarly, they work all seven days without any weekly leave up to 56 hours or more in a week. Domestic child labors are determined by the socio-economic situation of the child. In Nepal domestic child labors are categorized at the age of 5-17 years. The main objectives of the study are to identify the reason why these little and poor children work as domestic worker in urban household. Child labor in Nepal is becoming an issue of concern for policy maker and programme implementers. Although child labor is an emotional and controversial issue, it has so many complicated and challenging problems that always hinder its elimination. The study presents the findings from the primary source of data, survey conducted in 2009. The study sample included 50 child workers were selected by purposively random sampling method to accomplish the research work. The mixed questionnaire schedules were prepared to take interview among the literate respondents. Equally interview schedule was fixed for those who are illiterate. All the collected data have been classified, tabulated and analyzed in various forms carried out for the analysis of domestic child labors. - vi - In-depth study of domestic child labour/worker is essential to be carried out as it can explore the causes and factors lying behind it. The main objective of the study is to find out the socio-economic condition and background of the domestic child worker and problems faced by them. Exploratory as well as descriptive research methods have been used to carry out the study coinciding with the objectives. Of the total almost 76 percent were found to have parents while 12 percent found to have only mother and 10 percent were found to have father. Only two percent child workers were found orphan. Scratching the literacy status of the domestic child workers, research has prevailed that a total 68 percent children were found literate while 32 percent were found illiterate. Out of the total only 56% children were found treated well by their employers. While 20% children were badly treated by their employers. Out of the total 34 non-school children, only 58.82 percent showed their interest to join school while 41.18 percent were found pessimistic to join school. The major reasons behind this are the House owner do not press them to go to school, children are not well aware on the importance of education, afraid of humiliation by classmates and even teacher and double or triple responsibilities such as: carry out all the works before they go to school, same routine again after school without rest. Based on the characteristics of the work, working situation of domestic child worker in urban households is significantly reasonable, at least they got food and shelter, owners' give them shelter which is the responsibility of Government to take out them from such child labor work and should give the child rights. They are working as child worker in urban household because of their economic reasons. Some of the study reveals that the domestic child workers are severely mistreated by their employers. Findings from this study suggest that the awareness programme to parents as well as children is necessary to prevent child labour problems. The main cause of migration of children towards city is poverty. Therefore, the poverty reduction or income generation program should be lunched in the hilly districts from where the children have been migrating in huge numbers. This study also suggests that child based agencies should focus their program in the remote or rural areas of the country by which lifestyle of children can be changed. Equally there is needed coordination between NGO's and Government to develop a systemic approach to eliminate child labour and coordinate different approaches.