Brick kilns pledge to avoid child labour

Kathmandu, May 12

Four of the 62 brick factories in Bhaktapur today expressed their commitment to avoid child labour.

During a programme organised today by Bal Bikash Samaj with support from Save the Children, the owners of Tathali-based Mahashakti Brick Factory, Sudal-based Maheshwori Brick Factory, Nangkhel-based GJ Brick Factory and Nandikishor Brick Factory willingly declared that they would not use child labour.

Speaking at the programme, Minister for Labour and Employment Deepak Bohara said, “Using child labour in brick factories is a crime and people involved in such activities are punishable by law.” He also directed the labour department to take stringent action against brick kiln owners that exploit children.

Dilli Ram Giri, chairperson of Central Child Welfare Board, said the organisation was making efforts to eliminate child labour. “We will come up with special programmes to eliminate child labour,” he added.