Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Krishna Hari Banskota, today directed Bhaktapur District Administration Office to take all necessary steps to prevent exploitation of child labour at brick kilns.

Speaking at an interaction organised by Child Development Society today, Banskota called for efforts to rescue children from brick kilns. He also urged private organisations working for child rights to team up with government bodies and start an elaborative campaign against the social anomalies, including exploitation of child labour.

According to the CDS data, there are 31 brick kilns in Bhaktapur, where 248 children (aged 3 to 5), 437 children (aged 6 to 14) and 138 children (aged 15 to 18) have been working. The campaigns alone are not sufficient to eliminate child labour from brick kilns, the factory owners should also stop employing child workers, Banskota said.

He further urged private schools to incorporate children of those working at brick factories under their government-designated 10 per cent scholarship schemes.

Grim numbers

• There are 31 brick kilns in Bhaktapur

• 248 children are aged between three and five 

• 437 children are aged between six and fourteen

• 138 are aged between 15 and 18 - See more at:

Published on: 10 June 2014 | The Himalayan Times