Livelihood Problem of the Domestic Child Workers: A Case of Pokhara Metropolitan City

Abstract

This is a study on Livelihood Problem of the Domestic Child Workers: A Case of Pokhara Metropolitan City.The study aimed to find out the cause and problems of child labors in Pokhara Metropolitan city of Kaski district.It also examined the causes and problems of domestic child labor. The research is based on household survey in Pokhara Metropolitan city of Kaski district. Different types of qualitative data and information were collected in the study area. Both primary and secondary sources were applied to collect the required data for the study. The questionnaire schedule and in-depth interviewee are the most important step of data collection. There are 33 wards in Pokhara Metropolitan city however, only the ward number 5 and 6 were selected for study. Fifty domestic child labors were randomly taken randomly as as ample. The data were collected from child labourers. Child labor was the result of poverty, illiteracy, lack of family breakdown, large family, ignorance and social injustice.Economically weak people's children employ to work in order to support the family but they have been deprived of basic necessities suffer from abuse,exploitation, neglect humiliation and diseases. The findings of the study showed that majority of child labours come from migration.Main reason for abandoning home is parents’death, followed by other reason as family problems.Among the child labors, 44 percent child workers are involved in child care. 36 percent respondents are involved in cooking /cloth washing in employers house. 36 percent respondents are working 10 to 12 hours per day. 40 percent and 24 percent respondents have been working 12 hours and above and 6-10 hours per day respectively.Only 28 percent respondents have been working at very low salary other respondents have been working unpaid 48 percent.Out of the 50 respondents the 56 percent child workers have good health condition. Likewise, 28 percent and 16 percent respondent have normal and other health condition.24 percent respondents get enough rest when they fall sick. 50 percent got in sufficient rest and 26 percent respondents did not get rest even in sickness.