DURGALAL KC

Freed Kamlaris in the western Tarai are being exploited and deprived of minimum wage even after the government abolished the Kamlari system in the country, a recent survey conducted by the Freed Kamlari’s Development Forum revealed.

The report, released on Tuesday, said 164 of the total 308 freed Kamlaris are found to have been working without pay. It said the so-called freed Kamlaris have been working for Rs 500 a year.

According to the Forum’s Chairperson Urmila Chaudhary, the Kamlaris’ situation is in dire straits. “Most of them are working without pay and those who are paid also a very small amount,” Chaudhary said, terming it an exploitation of labour beyond comprehension.

Expressing sorrow with the exploitation of children under the age of five, she vented ire at the apathy of the government, holding them responsible for the wretched situation.

According to Fakala Tharu, legal advisor of the Forum, most of those exploiting the Kamlaris’ were public figures like businessmen, government officials, doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers and political leaders. Tharu said the inaction of the government against those exploiting the kamlaris’ was deplorable.

Tharu said the 12-point deal reached on June 7 with the government following the protest against the murder of a Kamlari was yet to be implemented.

A Cabinet meeting on June 27 had officially declared the Kamlaris’ free but the declaration has remained only to words, Tharu said.

Published on: 2 January 2014 | The Kathmandu Post