a nt e nold no ot oainl riig programs. training vocational most into enrolled be not can so and 14 of working age legal of yet not are school.Most to return to are needed for arrangements residential accommodation as few are willing problems and sexual and physical abuse. To remove these children, special to pollution and their poor put livingthem at arrangements risk for health exposure traffic,their the from dangers tempos.The and buses the on each day but at the end most have little to show for their months working hands their through pass money of amounts Huge stored. vehiclesare lives withthedrivers andby areas. children inrural work These opportunities longdays sharingtheir work accesstoschooling, socialexclusion and lack of problems, lack of poverty,to family refer ‘push’ the areas, urban to children of number to theincreasingurbanization in thissectormay beduetoboth children According to a study conducted by CWIN in 2002, of the influx buses. Periodic crack downs by thetraffic tempos orfromthedoorsof of backs the off dangerously hanging seen be can boys young streets polluted and traffic chaotic through way their wind vehicles these As ButwalBiratnagar, Birgunj,Nepalgunj, andPokhara. Valley,suchKathmandu centers as; urban major in particularly Dharan- country, the throughout tempos and jeeps microbuses, mini-buses, vehicles-trucks,buses, of types all in found are sector transportation in urbanization. Children working challenge due to the increasing process of social major a as emerged has sector transportation the in labor Child night often sleeping at the depots wherethe at thedepots night oftensleeping and consumerismthathas push andpullfactors. ‘pull’refers The transport industry.transport the in career a having them prevent to trying people as them remove to efforts see and tempos the on stay to driver.determined are Many a as job a secure to position a in be will they day one that conductors as by working onthetemposandbuses problems at home. are They sure that or violence domestic school, at away run often have boys young These of passengers do little to stop the practice. objections the and police from hometoescapeproblems attracted alarge 1 CHILDREN WORKING IN TRANSPORT SECTOR 2 CHILDREN WORKING IN TRANSPORT SECTOR ubr cmn from coming numbers withthegreatest migrants were five of out Four 14. of age working legal Valley with 28% under the workers in the Kathmandu transport child 2,193 in 2005 and estimated that study a conducted CWIN many chronic healthproblems. in result also but growth, healthy their hamper only not can situation This environment. polluted highly a to exposed are and accidents, to rights, they are also exposed to highly hazardous situation. are They prone theirbasic children, whileatwork,road. These arenotonlydeprived of the on while situation traffic the about signals give to and passengers, in differentvehicles toupload Kavre and Sindhupalan are consideredaschild laborinthe apprentices as or in-kind or cash for services privatetransportation or public the of operation the in assisting age of years 18 under Children Children Transport Workers what isneededtowork withthisgroup. to valuableas us lessons taught has effort this numbersweresupported small only Although work. this from removethem could that options ways to address this difficult and target group to reach them with education find to trying of challenge the on took NGOs other and YouthClub Industry,and Commerce Suryadaya YouthClub, Pokharaof Chambers in 2006, Brighter Futures CWIN,NGO partners Sahara, BASE, Chartare group.WorldStarting reachthis requested to efforts expand Education Child transport workers are highly visible and many NGOs and stakeholders involved. being for reason major their as poverty cited workers.Most domestic or laborers casual workers, hotel porters, as often work other from the childrenhad transferred had directly entered this work Half while half the children, biological 73% father wereor biological literate.mother. Of a either parent, one have not did workers transportation five in One were Chhetri31%,Brahman 17%,T By ethnicity and caste they chok. and download goods transportation sector.transportation Childrenwork amang/Lama 13%andNewar 11%. , tocollectfaresfrom range were mostly working in bigger vehicles such as buses and trucks. and buses as vehiclessuch bigger workingin mostly were range age 15-18 the vehicles.in Children of types other to compared tempos young very boys was mostcommon inmicrovans and incidenceof The range. age 15-18 the in are 55% remaining the and age of years 10-14 between were children 42% age, of years 10 under were 3% age, By vehicles.cleaning and unloading and loading involvedin girls were 5% these Of intheprogram. participation for workers transport child 393 identified partners Futures' Brighter Brighter Futures andTransport Workers drugs. harder use number small a and alcohol consumes four in smoke, whileone inthevehiclechildren sleep inwhich theywork. Half the half Overbehaviors. risk high encourage and abuse physical and other risks. lifestyle expose Their and them livingto sexual arrangements the roadandhealthrisksfromexposure work fordrivers/owners families. and mentalabuseill-treatment.One-thirdwere requiredtodoextra physical reported children the of debts.Many family pay to and inputs financially for their family's food, sibling's education, clothes, agricultural contributing reported 68% and connection family a maintain children these Rs.930. Despite appearances, many an of average of monthly salary with day per hours 12 of median workinga be to found were Children dysfunct families. ra. M areas. urban the to districts surrounding the from came transportation in working children younger ages. majority The of children whooftenenterchild laborat Janajati and a Dalit higher proportion of workers havein younger may resulted on focus the but study CWIN’s in breakdown was similartothosefound others. This 2% andsmallnumbers of castes Terai 6%, Muslim 9%, Newar 38%, Brahman/Chettri 26%, Dalit 16%, Janajati were workers transportation these of caste and ethnicity The In additiontotherisk participants 95%were boysparticipants and to pollutionthesechildren face ional or single parent headed parent single or ional n cide cm from came children any of accidentson of 3 CHILDREN WORKING IN TRANSPORT SECTOR 4 CHILDREN WORKING IN TRANSPORT SECTOR and Ilam in the Eastern Cluster. andIlamintheEastern such as Salyan in the west, Makawanpur in the Central Cluster, Panchthar same district with a few children having from migrated nearby hill districts thechildren originatedfromthe and far-western cluster, themajorityof Ramechap and some were from Sindhuli. Similarly, central in the eastern, Dolkha, Sindhupalchok Kavre, Nuwakot, Dhading, Makawanpur, childrenThe found working in the Kathmandu Valley, mostly came from workers camefromthesurrounding working in the Kathmandu Valley. the child transportation The majority of them 238 beneficiaries were under the Out Brighter of Futures program. activities educational in workersparticipated transport child 393 all, In Origin Districts the Working hoursareoneof sectorusuallyw thetransport Children of when theyfirstenterintothiswork. conductors) becausetheydonotunderstandthetrafficsignalsandrules bydrivers/owners. or (helpers child“Khalasi” Trafficbeat often police young boyshave report been sexually abused. are They quite often abused the of work.Many at are they while harassed and abused mentally and child labor in under Nepal. Children the are worst both of physicallyforms falling as workerscategorized are transportation child criterion, this By childlabor. of worstforms the of one is childlabor of form particular Working conditions indicators inidentifyingwhetherornota districts closetotheirworking area. ork morethan12hoursaday. admit that it has been more difficult than they imagined and go home. go and imagined they than difficult more been has it that admit or families their with problems their out sort to reluctant are but village their in faced they than situation worsemuch a in up end children the Toowork. better other often some driver”find a or “be can and older are they until option “safe” a as this see they that say often boys The Drivers often take pity on them and their demands to be allowed to work. and more to ambitious independent workoften turn on public transport. charity. toenterashelter. theyget Otherstake thefirstopportunity The off living and begging recycling, to in drift Some migrant. young a as being young and alone on and the surviving street reality and difficulty of the with up meet quickly city the in glamour of life a of dreams The home. leaving children in result factors of combination a or conflict armed the and teachers; or parents,friends with fights groups; mentally illparent;familypoverty; a violence; domestic or alcoholism parents, step with situations family reasons;dysfunctional school foravariety of school ordroppingoutof factors.pull Failureat the as important as often are factors "push" The with friends. exploring workor of promises bydrawn also are attractions.Many are city the see and cost of free travelabout to chance the say many while foodandshelter care of take employers the transport public on workingdrivers, because be to wantmoney,they good because earning of prospect the are transport, public on work and city the to children these attract that factors "pull" The sector. this into boys mainly children of flow constant a is There consent. the main reasons why the boysone of left home mostly with their parents’ was areas rural the in conflict armed the that said them, with working staff and children, workforce.The the joined and home their left they themainreasonswhy areaswas oneof inrural conflict boys saidarmed Many children. of migration for reasons also are concerns security and Children say they to migrated urban areas for work and a better life. Social Reasons Children Work in the Transportation Sector (even if thatmeans (even if social exclusion of minoritiesorDalit social exclusion of sleeping insidethevehicle)sleeping 5 CHILDREN WORKING IN TRANSPORT SECTOR 6 CHILDREN WORKING IN TRANSPORT SECTOR organizational commitment. organizational the individuals rather than commitment of personal the to more related efforts occasional with be to needs activeit as as Police Office. Joint This Task Force isnot TrafficValley Kathmandu and Welfare Women Social and Children , of Ministry Labor and Transport, Congress, of Ministry Union Trade Nepal Transportation, -Manakamana Kalanki Association, Professionals Transportation Clean Council, Welfare Social the CWIN, are, Child Labor in Tempos and of Microbuses JointTaskElimination the Forceon of members microbuses. The and and Microbuses was aimed also at formed combating child labor in tempos Temposin labor child of elimination JointTaskthe ForceA for 2005. in areas urban in sector childrenon workingstudy transportation the in a out carried it effort, this of removeTempo-Khalasi.childto part As ChildWorkerspublic transport, conductedacampaign inNepal-CWIN on working age, working legal below minors, of issue the Toaddress Transport A JointEffortTo PreventChildWorkers onPublic or supportthem.Manydonotwant being manyorphansandabandonedchildren just a few spaces free. In many districts such as Makawanpur despite there thechildren’s homesand surveyed ValleyKathmandu the Futuresin Brighter partners 2008, In ?” home children’s a in live and go they don’t “Why ask often streets the on The generalpublicwhenconfrontedby No PlaceTo Go only optionforsurvival. their as labor child see to continue will they children these for caring of while get taken in as domestic helpers. Until the welfare system is capable are more likely to end up on the street and to work on public transportation family.extended circumstances with difficult stay in to Boys supported being or community own their in care foster with off better be would shelters. Nearlyallwerefullandhad to beconfinedinan children livingandworkingalone there isnosystemtohouse institution and gone on to become mechanics while many have fulfilled their dream to dream havetheir many fulfilled while mechanics become to on gone to and developremain determined careers linked to transport. Some have these boys are fascinated by vehiclestraining from the Many program. of In all103olderchildren working received onpublictransport vocational Vocational Training transitionandstay inachildren’sof shelter. period these children to had their returned family and school after a brief of textbooks.Many and stationary fees, uniforms, of costs coveredthe received scholarships school. These in-kindscholarship toattendformal the boys identified were school Many dropouts.of In all 120 beneficiaries School Scholarships thesechildren a thirdof almost but schooling havesome Most Centers. Learning Open of use already full and it was hoped that these children would be willing to make are shelters and centers Rehabilitation sector. this from children with Brighter had Futures little Program experience working NGO of partners Providing EducationforChildTransport Workers were provided. For legal working older age-vocationalchildren training of or apprenticeships scholarshipswereprovided.schoolin-kind to return to willing and able vocationalmost training. Two For wereused. strategies therefore those for young too were Many training.vocational in participate to wanted most while family their livewith and school to return to wanted Some programs.education nonformal attend to opportunity the for jobs their fit. While these children were interested, they were unwilling to risk losing work-constantly on the move from dawn till after dark-made this a difficult are illiterateorbarelyliterate. artists. commercial and cooks as abroad. Some have trained for work in both Nepal and opportunities many have get much better salaries and boys these license drivers a and training proper With drivers. become and training proper get The nature of the natureof The 7 CHILDREN WORKING IN TRANSPORT SECTOR 8 CHILDREN WORKING IN TRANSPORT SECTOR of meandcallthe"mechanic". I can support my family too. Now I am happy very because people are respectful and me for enough is this but accommodation and food own my pay to have I month training, I became a mechanic. Now Rs.3000 I a earn month. From that Training. three finishing the Automobile an participate in to opportunity After the me gave and me contacted BASE from staff the on, Later bad. very felt it "khalasi", a me call to used people When "Khalasi". me calling me mock to used people time that at and worker) (transport Khalasi a as working started I "My name is Suman. I came to Kanchanpur from Salyan District. In the beginning Treated WithRespect our futurebright." heard about any other programs that help children like me to make yet not have I labor. child in working are who me like children the for program good a such developing for Education World help mebecomeagooddriver.Iamhappyandthecredit goesto driver. With conductor's job I will gain more experience which will a be to is aim my but month per 5000 Rs. earning am I and participate inthedrivingtraining,Iamaproperconductor now, to me selecting for Nepal Sahara to thanks But helper. a as working with myself satisfy to had I situation economic family's our to due but bus a driving of dreamt I childhood my "Since Former Khalasi-now17yearsold–KhanchanpurDistrict Raju Rajbhanshi,Raju Jhapa boys dropped out of school and migrated to the capital Kathmandu in rural Nepal were slim pickings. When they got the chance, both For youth like Nima Lama and Jeet Bahadur Moktan opportunities Dreams ComeTrue drive foraprojectorgoodoffice oneday!” to hope we now: increase. Tofuture a “Wesee adds, Nima that, and opportunities are few. But the more skills you have, opportunities connected be to need you Nepal, In license. a have now we but build confidence.JeetBahadurconcludes, limited traffic. They asktaxi driverstheyknowforthenightshift to there’s when vehicles drive and park to permitted be only will they rules, committee transportationyear, to first according This a valid license in hand, they are building their credibility and skills. The trainingiscompleted,andtheboysarestillhustling, butwith licenses. training anddriver’s Based on their age and interest, arranged for the boys to get driver training. vocational of need in youth as Bahadhur Jeet and Nima Brighter Futures partner, Child Workers in Nepal (CWIN) identified rupees aday.” 100-200 Weabout him. earn cover to on jump we break, lunch a ropes. Jeet didn’t have full-time work: “When a friend jumps off for

David duChemin worked as a who friend a with lived He grade. eighth came to Kathmandu on his own after finishing struggles to make ends meet. Jeet Bahadur Nima work. irregular very and seasonal treks, organized on helper kitchen a as working began also He up. fill seats when frequently involves hanging on to the vehicle that traffic Kathmandu in occupation dangerous a – travelers managing and or assistant, an as work him gave tempo a drives who friend family A 14. age at Kathmandu in father since. Nimafinishedgrade9andjoinedhis But life in the big city has been a hustle ever couldn’t reallyseeafuture.” in thevillageweresimilarsituations–we in search of work. Says Nima, “All our friends khalasi khalasi and who taught him the “We areworkinghard, , collecting fares collecting , 9 CHILDREN WORKING IN TRANSPORT SECTOR 10 CHILDREN WORKING IN TRANSPORT SECTOR · · · Most successfulapproaches have relatively well paidwork alternatives. and gaining are they skills the use to continue will they term long the older.In are they driverswhen be to want still Many options. employers these helped youthget training and alternativegood work and union auto-mechanics the Involving work. related other or young for this but do well in jobs working with vehicles as mechanics too are drivers.Most as jobs of dream transport in workingboys Employers and Unions Involvementof when rentingtheirown flat. living independent for them prepared employment, get they when on later and studies their on focus to children older these enabled training. Providing hostel accommodation during the training period becomes a major issue for those wanting to attend full-time vocational live,accommodation to place proper havea not do transportation Accommodation: Hostel on theirtechnical training. to being very to independent be patient and to be able to concentrate children skills.used social activitiesand prepare skills helped These life developedchildren the socialization, the of course the During socialization activities were provided to child workers. transportation training Socialization : Before starting the vocational training, vocational the starting Before : As most of the children working in working children the of most As – Many of the young the of Many – future forhim." good a see can we and drugs or alcohol uses never He sincere. is boy "This say and industry the in future good a have will Binod that confident also are workers fellow His me." fail never will he know I him. on dependent wholly am I work. his in good very and praise for Binod, “This boy is my one of the most trusted mechanics but nothing has works Binod where workshop the of owner The for cleaning.” soap and lodging, and breakfast) meals, (two food free including I haveacertificateofmytraining.Now, IearnRs.4000permonth failed to do so. He says proudly, "I now am a trained auto mechanic. when insults the and tools, the of names remember to struggle to had he when days past his recalls Binod garage." my in persons 6 to 4 employ will I and own my of garage a own to going am I my lifefromcleaner turned that date and day the remember still I Mechanics. in Auto course training months four a for selected was I struggle, of days those During survival. for hard struggled Mahendranagar,and to of five. As a jeep Khalasi (helper to the driver), I came from Salyan who haddroppedoutofschooltohelphisparents tofeedafamily boy a of dream a like seems it pastyears, my two at look I "When One DayIwillOwnMyGarage to amechanic.ItwasJuly 13, 2007.Oneday, 11 CHILDREN WORKING IN TRANSPORT SECTOR 12 CHILDREN WORKING IN TRANSPORT SECTOR the children came from Nawalparasi, Gulmi Lamjung and Tanahau. and Lamjung Gulmi Nawalparasi, from came children the Mid-West Terai from Jajarkot and Dang, and in the western hills and terai the Parsa,in Terai,and MakawanpurDhanusha,Chitawan,Central the districts,in origin main the were Sunsari and Jhapa east the in country the of regions other concerns.In health and safety occupational the to due risk at are but workingage legal of are children the of more far makes itdifficulttocontrolchild laborinthis sector. Outsidethevalley rise until again there effort is another crackdown. levelfluctuating This of very few children are found then as the months pass the numbers gradually crackdownTraffica the Police.After and TransportManagement and Labor of beingmadeby theMinistry ontheefforts depending fluctuate involvednumbers The districts. other in scattered numbers small just thechildren are majorityof The Specific trendsindifferentgeographicareas · · · Challenges n vctoa tann i ubn ra ae l expensive. all are areas urban in training vocational and residential centers, The costs re-integration in of to home communities, home or themselvessupport independently in non-exploitative work. holistic rehabilitation, including food and shelter until they can return choice. workdifficult a driving making documentation this getting trouble haveenormous and orphaned havebeen or documentation family lackchildlaborers Many license. a get to needed is and reaches16 CitizenshipPaper ANepali or hoping theywillbegiven theirlicense. driving trainingandthenget program the entering on are they than older are they pretend to try many reason sit fortheirtestuntiltheyare18.For this young to a get license. can They not legally too are though Most driver. a being of dream tempos and buses on conductors as assisting boys the of majority The would be willing to care for these older children within the community. relativesdistant that more or parents foster for assistance financial lack’s Nepal place. to hard are older and ten boys and children and children’s homes are full. with Those space prefer to take young parent’sorphanages their Many marriages. of breakdown the with sectors have lostone High Costs: High Driver’s Licenses and Legal Identity: Legal and Licenses Driver’s Orphaned and Abandoned: and Orphaned Boys living and working on public transport need transport public on working and living Boys or bothparents. Others working intheKathmandu Valley with nagrita Many boys working the transport the working boys Many can beobtainedonceayouth have beenabandoned