KATHMANDU, June 12: Roshan Das Katbaniya, 17, from Sarlahi sells balloons at and around Basantapur area. Leaving traditional family occupation of selling Sindoor (vermillion), he has adopted this occupation for one and half year. Studied till grade 7, Roshan now wants to quit his job as balloon vendor and wants to join his brother-in-law’s workshop as an automobile mechanics in his hometown. Currently living in Dhobi Chaur, he earns Rs 10-15 thousand per month; his aim is to join Nepal Army or Nepal Police.

Lal Das Katbaniya, 13, from the same district, has also adopted the same occupation for his living. At very small age, he had to bear the family burden following the death of his father and had to take care of his mentally-ill mother. With the income of just Rs 10-15 thousand per month; Lal also wants to quit his current occupation and is thinking of cultivating vegetables in his ancestral land. With the formal education till grade 2, Lal wants to re-start vegetable shop in his hometown.

These are just a few examples of the child labor that are working in different corners of the world. According to the latest report by International Labor Organization (ILO), around 152 million children around the world are forced to work for a living.

Children between the ages of five and 17 are being forced into labor under unspeakable conditions. There are more horrifying statistics where that comes from, with International Labor Organization (ILO). The ILO, which launched World Day against Child Labor in 2002 to grab global attention to the terrifying figures of child labor, it highlights the miserable number of around 73 million children performing hazardous work including manual scavenging, construction, agriculture, mines, factories, as street hawkers, domestic help, etc.

The organization has pointed out that these children are living in much-endangered condition that results in a risk of health, safety and moral development of children. It also takes away a normal childhood and proper education from the children.

On World Day against Child Labor, a joint campaign has been launched with World Day for Safety and Health at Work (Safe Day) to improve the safety and health of young workers and end child labor.

The campaign also aims to "accelerate action to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 8.8 of safe and secure working environments for all workers by 2030 and SDG target 8.7 of ending all forms of child labor by 2025,".

Meanwhile,  Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Raj Bista today said Nepal would be rid of child labor in the next seven years. 

"Nepal has prepared 'National Master Plan on the Elimination of Child Labor' with the aim to end child labor by 2025. The Master Plan will get approved in some days" he said addressing a morning procession to mark the day. 

Re-affirming that the government is committed to ensuring the rights of children to education and healthy lifestyle, he said all stakeholders, communities, civil society, non-governmental and governmental organizations should join hands to eliminate child labor. 

 
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