Woven with dignity: Making Nepal’s carpets child-labour free

KATHMANDU, Nepal (ILO News)- Today, on the World Day Against Child Labour, a stark reminder echoes across the globe: child labour remains a harsh reality for millions. According to the latest joint report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, an estimated 138 million children were engaged in child labour in 2024, with 54 million involved in hazardous work that threatens their health, safety, and development.

Nepal, too, continues to grapple with this deep-rooted issue. Despite progress, 1.1 million children are still engaged in child labour, with over 222,000 of them working in hazardous conditions, often deprived of education, childhood, and safety.

Protecting child rights is central to the ILO's efforts to end child labour.

At an event jointly organized by Global Compact Nepal, GoodWeave Certification Nepal, and the Nepal GoodWeave Foundation, stakeholders came together to highlight the transformative power of rehabilitation and prevention in combating child labour. The event also marked the fourth consecutive year of this collaborative initiative, showcasing multi-stakeholder efforts to build a child-labour-free future.

Keynote speech by Mr. Numan Özcan, ILO Nepal Country Director.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Numan Özcan, ILO Nepal Country Director, remarked, "The findings of our report offer hope and show that progress is possible by applying legal safeguards, expanding social protection, investing in free, quality education, and providing better access to decent work for adults. We must not forget: Children belong in schools, not workplaces. Their dreams deserve protection, not exploitation. Together, we can and must end child labour."

Bal Ram Gurung, Chairperson of Nepal Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Vice Chairperson of Nepal GoodWeave Foundation.

Bal Ram Gurung, Chairperson of Nepal Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Vice Chairperson of Nepal GoodWeave Foundation added, "The carpet industry is committed to eliminating child labour. To do so effectively, we must identify and address its root causes. In Nepal, the situation is improving, thanks to greater awareness through social media, political changes, and increased global engagement. These factors are driving positive change. Let us remain hopeful for even better progress ahead. "The event spotlighted success stories of children removed from exploitative conditions and reintegrated into education and safe environments. It also served as a platform to reflect on the remaining challenges and the need for stronger laws, enforcement, and community engagement.

Sumitra Basnet, Child Labour Advocate and Social Enterprise Associate at Formation Carpets.

Sumitra Basnet, a former child labourer rescued from a carpet factory in Kapan, is now a child labour advocate and Social Enterprise Associate at Formation Carpets.

She shared, "After I was rescued, I came to this GoodWeave Transit home, completed my higher secondary education and interned at an NGO. I am now learning professional skills at Formation Carpets. I even had an opportunity to share my experience at a major conference in Iceland. I encourage students here to take up internships like I did, alongside their studies as it helps them gain practical experience and opens door to opportunities."

Sulochana Shrestha-Shah, Founder of Formation Carpets and GoodWeave .

Sulochana Shrestha-Shah, Founder of Formation Carpets and GoodWeave stated, "In next year's programme, I hope we will hear that the number of child labour cases has decreased. We must all collaborate to make this happen."

Participants at the event.

The ILO's ongoing Policies, Partnerships, Learning and Local Empowerment (PPLL) project, supported by the Government of Japan, continues to address the root causes of child labour in Nepal, with a focus on high-risk sectors such as agriculture, domestic work, brick kilns, and carpet production.

Insightful interactions at the event.

To strengthen action against child labour in the carpet industry, a new diagnostic study on decent work conditions in the woollen carpet production supply chain is being planned.This study will investigate working conditions, employment relationships, and fundamental rights in the sector, aiming to inform policy and industry improvements ahead of Nepal's 2026 LDC graduation.

The ILO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS) and other social partners, is committed to supporting Nepal in achieving SDG Target 8.7 - the elimination of child labour in all its forms.

Participants at the event.

As we mark this World Day, the message is clear: we have made strides, but there is still a long way to go. Every child deserves a future built on learning, not labour.

For further information, please contact:

Nistha Rayamajhi

Communications Officer

https://www.ilo.org/nepal