Nepal Observes World Day Against Child Labour with Renewed Commitment to End Exploitation

Kathmandu: Global Compact Nepal (GCN) and GoodWeave Nepal, with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), jointly hosted a powerful event to mark the World Day Against Child Labour, calling for urgent action to eliminate child labour in Nepal.

Despite ongoing interventions, over 1.1 million children in Nepal are still engaged in labour, with approximately 250,000 working in hazardous conditions. The event, now in its fourth consecutive year, brought together survivors, policymakers, industry leaders, and international representatives to share progress and reinforce a collective call to action.

Among the speakers were Ms Sumitra Basnet, a former child labourer turned advocate, and Mr Hem Moktan of the Nepal GoodWeave Foundation (NGF), both of whom highlighted the importance of NGF’s Hamro Ghar transit home in rehabilitating rescued children and supporting their education.

ILO Country Director Mr Numan Ozcan emphasised the critical role of private sector accountability in eradicating child labour, while Mr Balram Gurung, President of the Nepal Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association, affirmed his sector’s commitment to ethical production.

The event concluded with cultural performances by children from NGF’s transit home, alongside a strong appeal for international buyers to prioritise child-labour-free products in their sourcing decisions.