Seven months after the signing of the 10-point agreement between the government and former Kamlaris, the government struggles to deliver on its promise. 

Among other things, the government had promised to amend the Kamlari Education Guidelines to increase the amount of scholarship provided to freed Kamlaris, to reimburse former Kamlaris for the medical costs incurred during the June strike and to distribute identity cards to freed Kamlaris. 

As per the agreement, the government investigated the deaths, pregnancies and disappearance of Kamlaris while in service, but is hesitant to release the reports. As a result, the findings are shrouded in mystery. 

Former Kamlaris are especially worried about the delay in amending the education guidelines since that affects thousands of school-going Kamlaris. Early in December, former Kamlaris associated with Freed Kamlari Development Forum (FKDF) were in the Capital to pressure the government into fulfilling their promises. 

“But things seem to move only when representatives from the organisation are here in the Valley,” said Phakala Tharu, legal advisor to the organisation based in Dang. 

Meanwhile, rescue missions continue, albeit at a pace sluggish than desired. On December 12, the government even formed a three-member rescue team headed by Bed Bahadur Karki, assistant chief district officer of Kathmandu. 

But only six out of 10 Kamlaris freed since the June protests were freed last month. Even then, according to FKDF, 370 Kamlaris are still in service nationwide, 83 of whom are in the Capital.   

Pradip Dangol, child-protection officer at Children-Women in Social Service and Human Rights, one of the organisation involved in rescuing Kamlaris in the Capital, said the rescue has been slow because they are yet to locate the houses of the employers. “We’ve been coordinating with FKDF in the Far-West. Once they figure out the house numbers of the Kamlari employers in the Capital, we will intervene,” said Dangol.  

Still, the rescue team hopes to rescue Kamlaris every Wednesday.

Published on: 5 January 2014 | The Kathmandu Post