Ramechhap, December 16

A recent data has revealed that hundreds of kids are being used as child labourers at various brick kilns in Ramechhap.

More than 600 children of six VDCs of the district have been working in brick factories.

This data was revealed at a function organised by Suryoday Sewa Samaj, an NGO working in the field of children, in coordination with District Child Welfare Committee Ramechhap in Manthali today.

According to the report, more than 474 kids among the 600 are below 14 years of age and have migrated from 18 VDCs of the district.

A large number of children from Khaniyapani, Pakarbas, Rakathum, Hiledevi, Bhaluwajore, Bhatauli, among other VDCs, are engaged in brick kilns, said Tara Bahadur Gyapak, executive director of the NGO.

“This year alone, more than 3,000 migrant workers from those VDCs left their villages for labour work in the brick kilns,” said the report.

According to the report, as many as 597 children migrated with their guardians in search of work. With a large number of schoolgoing children leaving their villages, the number of students in local schools has sharply decreased of late.

District Education Officer Khubi Ram Adhikari said all the concerned needed to step up necessary measures to stop this trend. “This is possible only through joint effort,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Shesh Narayan Poudel said the administration has taken the situation seriously and some necessary initiatives will be taken for the protection of such kids.