Friends of Needy Children (FNC), an organization working for the welfare of Kamlaris (a form of bonded labor) has prepared a guideline for their rehabilitation, national news agency reported Monday.

The guideline demands the announcement of the abolition of the Kamlari system at the earliest, data collection of kamlaris as well as their categorization on the basis of their ages and social and economic condition among others.

“Though the Supreme Court had directed the government to implement an act related to the abolition of Kamlari system three years ago, no progress was seen to this effect yet,” mentions the guideline.

Most Kamlaris are adolescent girls from the Tharu community sent to private residence by their families to clear the debts of the parents or ancestors or as payment for using the land-holders’ lands.

According to Man Bahadur Chhetri of FNC, discussions on the guideline with local administrations have already been held and preparations are underway to give it a final touch after holding discussions with the Department of Education.

The Kamlari system is in practice in the far and mid-western regions, and mainly in the districts of Dang, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur. According to estimates, there are nearly 4,695 Kamlaris in these districts. Of these districts, Dang was declared a Kamlari-free district nine months ago. nepalnews.com