Summary Brief: Our Approach to Mitigating Exploitation in Brick Factories (April 2018)
Through a decade of sustained engagement with brick factory laborers, World Education has emerged as a leader in Nepal in combating exploitation in brick factories and has developed a proven, holistic model for expanding economic opportunity for financially insecure communities. The Building Better Futures initiative’s first and second phases built on past interventions that demonstrated substantial impact in reducing vulnerability to exploitative labor. World Education’s multidimensional strategy focused on imparting education, diversifying livelihoods and building the capacities of communities to be resilient in the face of financial shocks and natural disasters.
This publication presents the challenges created by exploitative labor practices in Nepal’s brick factories and World Education’s efforts to develop a successful model for mitigating the adverse impacts through the Building Better Futures initiative under the Naya Bato Naya Paila project. For a description of our approach as well as the outcomes from the first and second phases of the Building Better Futures initiative, read our brief:
Photostory: Breaking the cycle of exploitation in Nepal’s brick factories
World Education helped Sharadha transition back to school from her job in a brick factory. Now she is in grade seven, and hopes to become a nurse.
Each year, Nepal’s brick factories produce more than 5 million bricks – a number that has ballooned to enable reconstruction projects following the April 2015 earthquake. Increasing numbers of men, women and children find themselves in inescapable indebtedness, borrowing money to make ends meet in the immediate term in exchange for future work.
World Education Nepal’s Building Better Futures Initiative supports brick factory workers to break cycles of exploitative labor and overcome the oppressive conditions of intense manual labor and mistreatment they often experience. Using a holistic approach, World Education Nepal educates brick workers’ children, expands livelihood options and provides financial services to empower families to pursue new options for income generation. The Building Better Futures Initiative holds livelihood trainings and school enrollment so that hundreds of people like Shanti and Sharadha, whose stories you can read in this World Education photo story, are not resigned to a fate of dangerous labor in the brick factories. Join us in celebrating their achievements.
Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups in Nepal: Child Labour Status Report
Worldwide, the use of child soldiers is seen as one of the worst forms of child labor; during the People’s War in Nepal, many children under the age of 18 became involved with different armed groups. This document highlights how World Education and its partners used community sensitization and reintegration activities to assist children who had been associated with armed forces or groups. This booklet also identifies the most successful approaches and the major challenges faced by children returning to school or those in vocational training and apprenticeships. Part of a series that comprises the final report funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Children Trafficked and Sexually Exploited in the Adult Entertainment Industry: Child Labour Status Report
The end of the civil war in Nepal brought an explosion of the adult entertainment sector and, as a result, an increase in the number of children being sexually exploited. This report provides background information about the child trafficking situation in Nepal and highlights ways that the program worked to withdraw girls from the adult entertainment industry and reintegrate them into schools. The booklet also identifies successful approaches for working with victims, ways to attract students into education programs, major challenges faced by victims, and complimentary services available to victims as safety resources. Part of a series that comprises the final report funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Children Working in Brick Factories in Nepal: Child Labour Status Report
Rapid population growth and increased urbanization in Nepal have created a demand for brick workers. Many of these workers are migrant children whose families have moved from rural areas in search of work. This booklet presents an overview of the child labor situation in the brick industry, as well as strategies being implemented to address the situation. World Education’s work through program to address this aspect of child labor includes nonformal education, vocational education, parent teacher associations, and support to attend formal schools. Challenges and lessons learned in each of these areas are also presented. Part of a series that comprises the final report funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Children Working in Portering in Nepal: Child Labour Status Report
Child porters are those who carry loads for income. These children, typically the poorest of the poor, are often encouraged to miss school and carry heavy loads in order to earn extra cash to support their families. This report highlights World Education’s efforts through the program to assist children working in portering. The booklet includes context, nonformal, formal and vocational education support provided, challenges, lessons learned, and best practices/recommendations. Part of a series that comprises the final report funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Children Working in Private Homes in Nepal: Child Labour Status Report
This document focuses on the ways that World Education have assisted children working as domestic helpers in private homes in Nepal. The booklet highlights nonformal education, vocational education, and economic education programs, as well as other services such as child protection committees, community mobilization projects, and local government and private sector efforts. Additional information about successful approaches, outcomes, major challenges and lessons learned are covered by region. Part of a series that comprises the final report by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Children Working in the Mining Industry in Nepal: Child Labour Status Report
Children working in the mining industry face dangers from the work environment as well as daily risks of accident and injury. This report outlines how World Education and its partners have implemented nonformal education programs, vocational trainings, and family livelihood development activities to help children who are involved with mining. The report also covers major challenges faced, lessons learned, and best practices. Part of a series that comprises the final report by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Children Working in the Recycling Industry in Nepal: Child Labour Status Report
The children who work in this labor sector are often runaways, orphans, abandoned children, and children of poor migrant families who do not have access to educational opportunities. This report highlights World Education’s work to assist child laborers in the recycling industry through nonformal education programs, curriculum development, scholarship aid, and vocational education. This booklet also covers major challenges faced, most successful approaches, and valuable lessons learned. Part of a series that comprises the final report funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Children in the Carpet Industry in Nepal: Child Labour Status Report
While the legal removal of child labor from the production of carpets has been a major success story for Nepal, structured education programs and constant vigilance are needed to keep up this achievement. This report explores ways that World Education used educational programs including nonformal classes, vocational training, open learning centers, and livelihood developmentto help remove children from the carpet industry. The booklet also looks at ways that the program worked to support impoverished families and provide educational opportunities for girls. Information on successful approaches, lessons learned and major challenges faced are also covered in this document. Part of a series that comprises the final report funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.