ReliefWeb

KATHMANDU, Jun 21, 2005 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The Rural Environment and Empowerment Center (REEC), a non-governmental organization, and the International Labor Office (ILO) signed here Tuesday an agreement to implement an action program to eliminate child labor in western Nepal.

The program entitled "Eliminating Child Labor in Western Nepal Through Community Support and Empowerment" was signed by Bharat K. C., chief of REEC, and Leyla Tegmo Reddy, director of ILO Office in Nepal.

The action program seeks to improve the situation of young children working as child porters and domestic laborers by providing education, apprenticeship training, peer education and registration, a press statement issued by ILO Nepal said.

In addition, a drop-in center will be established to provide counseling services, primary health care, recreational facilities, landmine awareness programs, library facilities and legal aid.

The program will also support a safety net for families of child workers through adult literacy, micro-enterprises development, income generation activities and training on health education, including first aid and HIV/AIDS.

The area of intervention will be based in Myagdi and Parbat districts of western Nepal.