LALITPUR: Minister for Labour, Employment, and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari has emphasized that eradicating child labour is essential for Nepal to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to establish itself as a model nation on the global stage.
Speaking at a national dialogue on “Child Labour in Agriculture”, organized by the Ministry in Lalitpur today, Minister Bhandari said Nepal is committed to addressing child labour in line with international conventions and its own constitution, laws, and regulations.
Highlighting that a significant number of children are engaged in agriculture, he expressed concern over the low school attendance rates in several areas, particularly in Dolpa district and parts of Madhesh Province. He stressed that these conditions must be changed through effective implementation of child labour laws and by promoting school enrollment.
“To achieve the SDGs, child labour must be eliminated not just in policy but in practice,” Bhandari said, calling for strong coordination among local, provincial, and federal governments. “Without local-level enforcement, neither the provincial nor federal government can declare the country child-labour free.”
He also stressed the importance of raising awareness within communities where child labour is prevalent, ensuring that legislation is not only enacted but also understood and followed, and creating an environment where children can attend school.
Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma, Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, noted that traditional social practices and mindsets remain key drivers of child labour in the agricultural sector.
Chakrapani Pandey, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, reported that 87 percent of child labourers in Nepal are employed in agriculture. He underscored the need for a clear legal definition of child labour and increased public awareness to effectively address the issue.
Jitendra Sharma, another Joint Secretary at the Ministry, shared that globally over 160 million children are engaged in child labour, with more than 79 million involved in hazardous work. Of these, 70 percent work in the agriculture sector.
In Nepal, Karnali Province has the highest proportion of children working in agriculture at 12 percent, while Bagmati Province has the lowest at 8.9 percent, Sharma noted.
Nepal’s Constitution, under Article 39, guarantees child rights and prohibits the employment of minors. National laws and international agreements also forbid employing individuals under 18 in hazardous occupations.
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