Socio-Economic and Demographic Status of Child Labourer (A Case Study of Micro-bus Conductors in Kathmandu District)

Abstract

This study entitled "Socio-Economic and Demographic Status of Child Labourer (A case study of microbus conductors in Kathamandu district)" as a partial fulfillment of masters degree in population studies the general objectives of this study is to examine the Child Labour situation in the Microbus of Kathmandu district. Thus on the basic of this general objectives, the specific objectives of this study is to identify. The socio-economic and demographic background of the child conductor in microbus with examine the major causes and problems of child labour. This study is based on 80 interviews with children aged 5-16 years. This study is conducted from April- May 2007. The sample sites Kalanki and Kirtipur are selected purposive sampling procedure. It is found all the respondents are male.

From the field survey it was found that majority (95%) of children are found from out side valley. The highest 66 percentage of children are found in the age group of 14-16 years and 70 percent of them Hindu. 45 percent of children have their both parents and 15 percent of the children are orphan. Majority i.e. 68 percent of children started to work below 10 years age. This research found 73 percent of respondents are come from village. The 78 percent of them total respondents are found literate (can read and write), this shows majority of respondents are literate because in this sector requires at least minimal knowledge of counting. 91 percent of them have own house and land and 59 percent of their parent's main occupation is agriculture. The average daily wage is found from Rs. 25-50 Majority 35 percent of them reported their reason for working as a microbus conductor is poverty, unemployment and other. The 44 percent of the children had come with their relative to the Kathmandu. Majority i.e. 64 percent of respondents reported their parent's never come to meet them. Despite existing laws none of them were found working less then 10 hours a day and the 46 percent of respondents said their working hour is not fixed. Majority of i.e. 78 percent of them reported their normal relation with their employer. Among total respondents 31 percent are getting bad behavior from their master and 21 percent from passenger. 79 percent of them found that they are getting facilities except daily wage/salary but only 44 percent are found satisfied with present job.

Lastly, for the betterment of microboys, the working hour, time and salary should also be fixed by the government and the national budget should be increased for the employment opportunities and poverty alleviation in rural areas.