INTRODUCITON
There are over 3,000 children involved in hazardous labor in Pokhara (2011), the western part of Nepal. They suffer from long working hours in exploitative and abusive conditions. The majority of these children are living in the workplace, half are under 14 years, and almost half are girls. Less than a quarter of these children are in school and a third of these children do not receive any salary.
Since its establishment in 1954 AD, Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), made of representatives from business and industry, has been playing a vital role in the development of Pokhara. This role has pread beyond the commercial and economic field to other aspects such as tourism, health care and social development.
PCCI initiated CLEP in 1999 working in coordination with Pokhara Sub Metropolitan City (PSMC), Lekhnath Municipality and Lekhnath Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI). In 2006, together with three partner organizations PCCI jointly established the coordinated services and support for street, working and at risk children in the Pokhara valley.
To date, CLEP has supported more than 6000 child labors to improve their working conditions and/or leave child labor. This has resulted in a reduction in the number of children in labor (from an estimated 9,000 in 2001), a reducation in the proportion of child labors below 12 years, and a greater number of child labors having access to basic services.
Since its establishment in 1954 AD, Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), made of representatives from business and industry, has been playing a vital role in the development of Pokhara. This role has pread beyond the commercial and economic field to other aspects such as tourism, health care and social development.
PCCI initiated CLEP in 1999 working in coordination with Pokhara Sub Metropolitan City (PSMC), Lekhnath Municipality and Lekhnath Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI). In 2006, together with three partner organizations PCCI jointly established the coordinated services and support for street, working and at risk children in the Pokhara valley.
To date, CLEP has supported more than 6000 child labors to improve their working conditions and/or leave child labor. This has resulted in a reduction in the number of children in labor (from an estimated 9,000 in 2001), a reducation in the proportion of child labors below 12 years, and a greater number of child labors having access to basic services.