Contents
1. Introduction 9
1.1 The Problem 9
1.1 Kamaiya bonded labour in Nepal 10
1.1.2 The incidence of bonded child labour 10
1.2 Objectives 10
1.3 Analytical Framework: ILO Convention No. 182 11
1.4 Child Bonded Labour and the Worst Forms of Child Labour 12
1.5 Methodology 12
1.5.1 Sampling 13
1.5.2 Questionnaires 14
1.5.3 Focus Group Discussions 14
1.5.4 Key Informant Interviews 15
1.6 Limitations and Lessons Learned 15
2. Respondents and Their Families 16
2.1 Working Children in Kamaiya Households 18
2.3 Household Poverty and Survival Strategies 20
2.4 Household Poverty and Survival Strategies 22
2.5 Child Labour Among the (Ex-) Kamaiyas 23
3. Working Conditions 24
3.1 Hours, Tasks and Risks 24
3.2 Remuneration 26
3.3 Perceptions of Work 28
3.4 Child Labour in the Kamaiya System and the Worst Forms of Child Labour 29
4. Aspects of Bonded Child Labour 32
4.1 Entry into Child Labour 33
4.2 Restricted Mobility and Indebtedness 33
4.3 Bonded Child Labourers 35
5. Conclusions 37
5.1 Conclusions 37
5.2 The Issue of Bonded Child Labour 37
5.3 Changing Kamaiya Labour Practices 37
5.4 Unexamined Bonded Labour Relations 38
6. Approaches and Recommendations 39
6.1 Approaches to Child Labour 39
6.6.1 Poverty Reduction 39
6.1.2 Awareness and Advocacy 39
6.1.3 Education and Training 39
6.1.4 Legislative Measures 40
6.2 Stakeholders 40
6.3 Areas of Importance to Kamaiya 40
6.4 Recommendations Specific to Kamaiya Bonded child labourers 42
6.4.1 Strategy 42
6.4.2 Policy 42
6.4.3 Labour Practices 42
6.4.4 Programme Design 42
6.4.5 Building Knowledge
43
7. References
44
8. Appendix I: Field Study Team Members
45
9. Appendix II: Questionnaire
46
Tables
Table 1.1 Selection of VDCs, Households, and Children Interviewed 14 Table 2.1 Distribution of Sample Kamaiya Households by District 16 Table 2.2 Children Aged 5 to 18 Years by District 17 Table 2.3 Work Status of Children Aged 5 to 18 Years 17 Table 2.4 Other Wage Workers Below 18 Years 18 Table 2.5 Children Working Inside and Outside Their Villages 18 Table 2.6 Distribution of Wage Child Labour Respondents by District and Gender 19 Table 2.7 Distribution of Wage Child Labourers by Age 19 Table 2.8 Starting Age of Work 19 Table 2.9 Educational Status 20 Table 2.10 Wage Child Labourers Attending School 20 Table 2.11 Family Size 21 Table 2.12 Status of Parents 21 Table 2.13 Birth Rank 21 Table 2.14 Landholding Pattern of Wage Child Labour Families 22 Table 2.15 Indebtedness of Wage Child Labour Families 23 Table 3.1 Time in the Morning 24 Table 3.2 Work Time in the Evening 24 Table 3.3 Distribution by Working Hours 25 Table 3.4 Major Tasks 26 Table 3.5 Secondary Tasks 26 Table 3.6 Injuries During Work 26 Table 3.7 Mode of Remuneration 27 Table 3.8 Eating Place 27 Table 3.9 Sleeping Place 27 Table 3.10 Annual Supply of Clothing 28 Table 3.11 Reason for Leaving Previous Place of Employment 28 Table 3.12 Reasons for Not Recommending Another Kamaiya Child to Work 28 Table 3.13 Incidence of Worst Forms of Child Labour by Category 30 Table 4.1 Activity Before Entering Bonded Labour 33 Table 4.2 Reasons for Work 33 Table 4.3 Distribution by Duration of Employment 34 Table 4.4 Change of Workplace 34 Table 4.5 Freedom to Leave Job 34 Table 4.6 Loan from Present Master 35
Boxes
Box 1 Chodaki -The Child Kamaiya 25 Box 2 Launda Ke School, Laundi Ke Argani 30 Box 3 In the Name of Liberation (Marto Ka Na Karto) 37
Charts
Chart 1 The Child Labour Problem and the Roles of Stakeholders