The freedom to choose work is a fundamental pillar of Decent Work. However, this freedom is not always respected. Forced labour is more pervasive than often realized, largely due to the invisibility of forced labour arrangements. There are many different forms of forced labour, but bonded labour is assumed to be the most prevalent one. In South Asia, local market failures play an important role in the incidence of bonded labour. Inter-linkages between the financial market, the land market and the labour market can result in conditions that effectively minimize the bargaining power of workers. Typically, these markets are characterized by monopolies, inequalities in asset ownership and a lack of alternative employment opportunities. In such an environment, there may be little freedom for workers to choose their employment and assert their core labour rights.If the lack of access to affordable and sustainable financial services contributes to bonded labour, then it is plausible to assume that the provision of specifically tailored financial services could be an effective measure to reduce the incidence of bonded labour. Affordable micro-finance services can be made accessible to persons at risk of bondage, hereby preventing unmanageable indebtedness. Recognizing this potential of micro-finance, the ILO Social Finance Programme initiated in 2000 a scheme to prevent debt bondage in four countries of South Asia, including Nepal.The project has since January 2002 initiated support activities with 1,000 families through two national NGOs, Mahila Upakar Manch (MUM) and Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN). Group formation, social and economic empowerment, savings & credit services, education, health and sanitation are important elements that the project has incorporated. This integrated approach is reinforced by the convergence of efforts of relevant partners and existing schemes.
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Publisher:
ILO
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(2002
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Type / Script:
Progress Report
in English
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Keywords:
LABOUR, LABOUR RELATIONS, DEBT BONDAGE, FORCED LABOUR, BONDED LABOUR, LABOUR EXPLOITATION, LABOUR LAW, LABOUR INSPECTION, LABOUR MARKET, LABOUR POLICY, FARM LABOUR, AGRICULTURAL LABOUR, CHILDREN, WOMEN, CASTE, LIVESTOCK, WATER, DRINKING WATER, FOOD SECURITY, MIGRATION, SOCIAL STATUS, GENDER, CHILD LABOUR, EDUCATION, POVERTY, EMPOWERMENT, HEALTH
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Thematic Group:
ILO
:
International Labor & Labor
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Thesaurus:
14.02.02
- Human Rights
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Reference Link:
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