The study Harawa-Charawa, the bonded labourers in agriculture: A study of three municipalities of Dhanusha district in Eastern Terai, conducted by Community Self-reliance Centre Nepal with support of the Freedom Fund, focused on the Harawa-Charawa (HC) labourers, a group often subjected to bonded labour due to historical and socio-economic factors. A total of 3,636 households were surveyed to assess the prevalence of HC, their work contracts, and living conditions. The methodology included interviews, informal conversations, and group discussions, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the socio-economic status of HC and the effectiveness of existing legal frameworks.
Findings indicated that a significant majority of HC labourers (87%) worked for fixed landlords, with 72% lacking the freedom to seek better wages, highlighting the persistence of bonded labour despite legal prohibitions. Indebtedness, often stemming from high-interest loans for medical and ritual expenses, and landlessness was prevalent, trapping HC in a cycle of poverty and dependency. The report recommends strategic action plans to eliminate bonded labour, enforce existing laws, and address informal money lending practices, emphasising the need for collaboration among local governments, NGOs, and international partners to rehabilitate and support HC labourers effectively.
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