Kathmandu: Sarawati Bishwakrma, who is working at a Lok Dohori as a singer, has not received her salary for two months and has been working without a labour agreement for the past five years. She has requested the concerned bodies to provide a formal contract and secure her labour rights and the safety of workers in the entertainment sector.Chandrika Tamang, a waiter at a hotel, shared that the hotel owner forces employees to bring in more customers, and he becomes angry when they fail to meet this expectation.
Similarly, Dikshya Lamsal and Aakriti Dahal, both employees at a banquet, shared that children under the age of 18 are working as labourers there. They reported working 16 to 17 hours daily without taking meals at the proper time and without eating enough.Additionally, Doma Tamang and Januka Khadka stated that house owners do not provide accommodations for those working in the entertainment sector. They also face difficulty finding housing, and society’s attitude toward them is unwelcome. All of these workers shared their difficulties during a photo-voice presentation and interactive dialogue organised recently by Opportunity Village Nepal (OVN).
The night entertainment sector in Nepal, particularly in bars, clubs, restaurants, and nightlife venues, faces a variety of challenges, contributing to insecurity. It is also becoming a place for human trafficking facilitated by brokers.
Charimaya Tamang, President of Shakti Samuha, emphasised the importance of the local government in addressing human trafficking. She said that children and girls are being exploited under the guise of employment in various workplaces. She urged local governments to enforce labour laws, monitor hotels, and ensure proper conditions for workers in businesses.
Police Inspector Krishna Basyal of the Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau stated that 70 women and 33 children were rescued in the fiscal year 2023/24. She mentioned that many victims are reluctant to report violence for fear of societal stigma. Most victims avoid complaints because they fear losing their jobs, giving employers the opportunity to exploit them again. Even after being rescued, many of these victims are found in the same places a month later.
Complaints have been registered, but cases are not resolved in a timely manner.
Recently, Dubai has become a hub for trafficking of women and children under the pretext of visit visas, offering attractive income. This issue sparked controversy when the police stopped individuals traveling to Dubai on visit visas at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Many workers come to Kathmandu in search of work without skills or certificates. They are willing to take any job to survive in the city, often without a contract and with low wages. This situation causes problems for both workers and employers when it comes to assigning work, according to Binod Shrestha, a night service entrepreneur.
Although the government has set a minimum wage, many workers are not paid that amount. The workers who do not receive their pay can file complaints to claim their wages. This has made it easier for employers to follow the rules, Shrestha said.
Kapil Aryal, Principal of Kathmandu School of Law, said, “There are laws in Nepal, but due to lack of enforcement and compliance, illegal businesses have flourished. Businesses such as hotels, restaurants, bars, and clubs should operate 24 hours to boost the economy. However, workers in these industries should receive proper wages, security, transportation, and other facilities.” He added, “More than 80 per cent of workers in the entertainment sector are employed without contracts. These workers are often lured into the trap of brokers offering financial incentives. The District Monitoring and Implementation Committee is responsible for taking action against agencies that break the law.” However, he questioned whether the Chief District Officer, who heads the committee, could effectively conduct raids and represent the victims.
Sanu Amatya, President of Opportunity Village Nepal, stated that every issue should be identified and addressed.She emphasised that children under the age of 18 should not be employed. Many victims fall into this age group.
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