More than 3,000 children are working in brick kilns of Kathmandu Valley, according to a report.

“They do not have access to basic education and childcare facilities.” according to the survey report of Bal Bikash Samaj (Children Development Society).

“Children — especially of indigenous nationalities — from outside Kathmandu valley — Kavre, Ramechap and Rolpa — dominated the brick kilns, it said, adding that of the 830 children interviewed in 27 brick kilns, 631 were Tamang, Magar, Gurung, and Tharu community.

Children from Dalit communities (124) followed by 75 children from Brahmin and Chhetry communities have been recorded,” programme coordinator of the Samaj Yubraj Rokka, said, adding that they were all from remote hill districts.

According to the report, children under 10 years are in majority with 51 per cent in brick kilns while only 16 per cent teenagers were invloved.

Among 830 children, 30 per cent are illiterate and majority of them did not have formal education due to nature of work.

Brick kiln workers spent about six months – from November to April – in Kathmandu and return their home in April-May. Girl child workers dominate the boys in brick kilns, completely reversing the trend in last one decade. Earlier studies had shown more boys than girls.

About 57 per cent girls were found working in brick kilns while only 43 per cent boys were involved in the job. The report revealed that children working in brick kilns are accompanied by their parents, who are poor.

“About 634 children were working in brick kilns due to poverty,” he said, adding that children are earning Rs 5,000 per month, while 62 per cent are earning only Rs 1,000. Some five per cent children were earning above Rs 5,000 whereas seven per cent are working without payment also.

Published on: 11 June 2011 | The Himalayan Times