NATIONAL 3 -(Spotlight Weekly)

Innovative Research

A thorough research on the situation of child labor in the Nepalese industry is conducted by ESCOR

By A CORRESPONDENT

Campus Chief Poudel

The negative publicity regarding the situation of child labor in Nepal has had a severe impact on the country's export items like carpets in the last couple of years.

The situation of child labor in the country was blown out of proportion and used to tarnish the country's image abroad. But due to the lack of any research on the subject, it became difficult to challenge the media assault.

With the objective to conduct an extensive research on this subject, British Department for International Development ESCOR funded a 18 month program that supported collaboration among private, state and voluntary trade union organizations in conducting effective research. It equipped the representatives with skills in conducting such research.

"This program has created a skilled team which is making to research on child labor in the carpet sector in Nepal," said Purna Man Shakya, Vice President of Central Carpet Industries Association (CCIA).

Shakya feels such a research was long overdue. "The ESCOR research is fruitful for us in the industry. We do not know enough about the situation and distribution of child workers in Nepal. Yet the industry has been damaged by negative reporting on unsubstantiated figures concerning the number of child workers. This research is thus essential for Nepalese economy."

The research team has identified poverty as the main underlying factor in the increase of child labor. The majority of Nepalese export comes from the carpet industry (13.8% - Trade Promotion Center report of 1996-97). However, this is now under threat. The process of globalization has not only opened up opportunities but has also posed challenges.

Take for instance, the decision of the US Administration on March 17 to lift import sanctions on Iranian carpets. The reputation of the Iranian carpet industry has ensured its hold over European markets.

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Over the past 15 years they have held 65% of the total imports to Europe (Iranian Trade Association, October 1998). South Asia had a strong place in the US market partly due to the ban that had prevented the import of Iranian goods. This is generating a sense of insecurity in the Nepalese business sector about losing their US market share.

Nepalese carpet industry had already suffered after the 1994 international coverage on child labor issues in South Asia. Besides the negative coverage, Nepal has several legal provisions for the prohibition and employment of young children. The Labor Act 1992 and Children's Act 1992 prohibits employment of children.

"A good number of people know children shouldn't work but we don't know much about child rights. In fact, large number of small manufacturers are unaware of Nepalese laws and that it is illegal for children under 14 to be employed," said Shakya.

The unique involvement of the private sector in this research has revealed a different set of concerns. These include the larger trade implications of international legislation and ensuring Nepalese advantage in the market.

Caste Discrimination

Sixty-five percent of the respondents questioned during an opinion poll survey conducted by Media Service International said caste-based discrimination still existed in the Nepalese society. Twenty-nine percent of the respondents, however, said they were unaware of such discriminations while 6% preferred not to express any opinion regarding this.

In the poll conducted between January 5 and 15, 2000, with a grant from London-based Westminster Foundation for Democracy, 56% said discrimination could be located during social ceremonies like wedding, 20% to decisions relating to community, 13% to justice dispensation, 4% to rewardlessness despite notable achievements and 8% to areas like the problem of untouchability.

The opinion poll survey with a sample size of 1068 was conducted in 15 districts including mountains, hills and terai. The interviewees were selected from among the members of Janajatis (Nationalities or indigenous people) including Yolmo, Thakali, Rai, Limbu, Gurung, Chepang, Magar, Lepcha, Jyapu, Tharu, Dhimal, Satar, Jhangad and Danuwar.

During the survey, 67% said the level of intolerance has decreased after the restoration of democracy while 2% said it has increased. Among the respondents, 42% said they would like their children to be educated in Nepali language, 29% in English and 28% in mother tongue.