Kathmandu: Nepal continues to face major challenges in eliminating child labour, with national estimates showing 1.1 million children engaged in child labour, including 220,000 in hazardous work. Despite progress, child labour persists in sectors such as brick kilns, woollen carpets and entertainment.
In response, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Nepal is strengthening collaboration with national and provincial partners to reinforce child labour elimination and child protection systems. As part of this effort, ILO Nepal Country Director Numan Özcan visited Hetauda and Chitwan in Bagmati Province, where he addressed a provincial dialogue on child labour and child protection, emphasizing the need for coordinated and multi-dimensional responses.
The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security is implementing the second National Master Plan (NMP-II) to eliminate child labour, with technical support from the ILO. A key strategy under the plan is the Child Labour Free Zone (CLFZ) approach, led by local governments. So far, 12 municipalities have completed the CLFZ declaration process, while more than 200 local governments are engaged nationwide.
To strengthen monitoring and response mechanisms, the ILO has partnered with the National Child Rights Council to build provincial and local capacities. As part of this collaboration, a provincial dialogue was held in Hetauda and a two-day training for frontline actors was organized in Chitwan.
Globally, ILO and UNICEF estimates published in 2024 show that 138 million children are engaged in child labour worldwide. The ILO said it will continue supporting Nepal in strengthening child protection systems and advancing efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goal 8.7.
