VOL. 25, NO. 40, June 16 2006 (Ashadh 02, 2063 B.S.)

The intensification of insurgency has put the children in further trouble

By A CORRESPONDENT

Following the intensification of insurgency, Thule Tamang, 14, was sent by his parents to the city to work as a domestic servant. Thule , a student of class six in a government school, has to take care of entire household works in a residence of a senior bureaucrat.

Thule ’s daily chores begin at early in the morning and ends at late night. From washing dishes to taking two small children to school and completing his own homework, Thule hardly finds any time for rest or play.

“Since I cannot go back to the village, I don’t have any other option than to work as a domestic servant,” said Thule . “I have to work very bard but I am getting opportunities to go to school.” He is concerned that if he goes back to village, he might not get the chance to study even.

Thule is not alone in the valley who has faced these kinds of problems. More than 40,000 children have been working in different sectors including in transport sector as helpers.

Children are also involved in other worst kinds of child labor. Worst forms of child labor in Nepal include domestic child labor, rag picking, child workers in carpet factories, bonded child workers, survivors of trafficking, child porters, and child workers in quarrying.

According to a study conducted by CWIN, the number of child labor is increasing by many fold, particularly, in urban areas. More than 55,000 children workers are in urban areas and 22,000 of them work as domestic servants in  Kathmandu . According to the study, every 1.5 household has a domestic worker. Interestingly, 28 percent of them are illiterate. More than four thousand children are now working as helpers in the local buses and tempos. Similarly, a total of 42,000 children are working as transport workers in the country. About 3,900 children work in urban markets and bus parks.

There are 17,000 children born into Kamaiyas and 30 percent of them work away from home. Out of these children, 57 percent are illiterate. Around 12,000 girls are trafficked.

At a time when the country is going through political instability, the problem of child labor is going to increase alarmingly high. Despite beginning of peace negotiations, the rural areas of country are yet to feel respite.

In this unpredictable situation, children are still migrating to the urban areas. As children are low paid, they are prone to all kinds of hazardous labor. Recently, child sexual abuse and exploitation is also emerging as serious challenge.

The children working in local transport sector have their own story to tell. Aged between 12-14, the transport workers are in a difficult situation. Low paid and highly exploited, these children have to work in most hazardous situation.

WORLD CUP
Soccer Mania

Whether it is in the tourist city of Thamel in the capital or Pokhara or eastern town Biratnagar, the world cup football has brought a new life in Nepal. Coinciding with a relief from violence, the world cup soccer has given the people, mostly youngsters, a new enthusiasm in their lives.

Even some film halls are showing the world cup matches in big screen. There is a rush everywhere. One can see the rush of soccer fans in and around areas like Thamel where foreign tourists and local population share the program together.

The business sector is also involved in the process of promoting their products. Mayos Noodle and Dabur have announced a large number of awards that help people to take part in the World Cup Football tournament in Germany.

Along with various parts of the world, the World Cup mania is hitting the country. Following the defeat of two Asian teams Japan and Iran, Nepalese actually were disappointed but the win by South Korea against African team Togo has provided a consolation.

Another Asian team Saudi Arabia is yet to play its first round of match but South Korea – which reached to the semi final last time - shows that it still has the enthusiasm and spirit to repeat its previous success.

After Asian teams, a large number of Nepalese support England, Brazil and Argentina. Italy, France and Netherlands are also favorite teams in Nepal. As almost all these favorites of Nepalese have won their first matches, there is increased excitement.

Although Nepalese football team is still in the lowest rungs in the world soccer rank, the game is still the most popular in the country. Even though Nepalese team could not make it to Germany, former national captain and current president of All Nepal Football Association Ganesh Thapa is representing the nation as he has been appointed as a member in the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.