By Teresa Parker | Development Director
Phulbasni Chaudhary -- Freed and Paid
Many girls who have been sold into bonded servitude by their impoverished and desperate parents are "purchased" by well-to-do middle-class and upper-class Nepali families. Yet, this does not guarantee that they will be treated any better than household slaves. Despite promises of fair treatment and education, these children are usually worked without respite, day in and day out, while provided only the bare minimum of food and shelter.
However, with the help of the Nepal Youth Foundation's successful efforts to challenge this illegal practice, these "employers" are not only being forced to release these children, they are also being pressured to pay the wages for the work performed.
Often the threat of a lawsuit or a formal complaint with the local police are sufficient to compel the employers to comply with the law and release the girl from her obligation. Now, too, through the dilligent efforts and persistent pressure from the Former Kamlari Development Forum (FKDF), an association of formerly indentured girls, these employers are agreeing to pay back wages, too.
One such case is that of Phulbasni Chaudhary whose employers agreed to deposit five years of back wages into a bank account for her education. In addition, these people signed an agreement not to employ bonded children again.
Thank you for your support and interest. You may read more about this and other programs of the Nepal Youth Foundation on our website www.nepalyouthfoundation.org. Follow this link to watch our new 4 minute video:http://bit.ly/uv6is2.
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