Topic B: Ending Bonded Labor In Nepal
Hi all,
I'm sure you all understand how important the issues in our committee are. But in case that isn't already clear, I found a really interesting article about the situation in Nepal. Until recently, the country had a system called the "Kamaiya system", where informal employment often turned into bonded labor that could be carried over between generations. This created an oppressive situation for many economically disadvantaged people, and constituted a system of modern slavery.
However, after recent international backlash the country actually abolished the system in 2002, to mixed results. The measures taken by the government don't go deep enough to address the inequality that really created this system and most of the people it affected still aren't self-sufficient. But recently the ILO partnered with UCEP Nepal to create the Bridge Project aimed at training formerly bonded workers with the skills to find new employment and become self sufficient.
What I really love about this article is that it shows the crossover that different international bodies can have working towards a common goal. Although we tend to think of UN organizations such as the ILO, UNICEF, or UNHCR as separate and independent organizations, many world issues are far more multi-faceted than that and could benefit from international cooperation. Also, I like that it mentions another ILO program. One of the awesome features of the ILO is the various programs and projects that it has going on throughout the world. These groups move the work of the ILO from words on a piece of paper for governments to follow or ignore as they please, to concrete plans of action to make real-world change happen. As a unique feature of the ILO, I hope to see different or new programs utilized in our resolutions at BMUN.
Does the ILO have any projects or programs similar to this in your country?
Would this sort of program be useful in your country? Are there similar conditions for workers?
What might be the limit of how far a program like this can go?
Any questions? Feel free to comment below.
Here's a link to the article: https://www.ilo.org/asia/media-centre/articles/WCMS_619926/lang--en/index.htm
I'm sure you all understand how important the issues in our committee are. But in case that isn't already clear, I found a really interesting article about the situation in Nepal. Until recently, the country had a system called the "Kamaiya system", where informal employment often turned into bonded labor that could be carried over between generations. This created an oppressive situation for many economically disadvantaged people, and constituted a system of modern slavery.
However, after recent international backlash the country actually abolished the system in 2002, to mixed results. The measures taken by the government don't go deep enough to address the inequality that really created this system and most of the people it affected still aren't self-sufficient. But recently the ILO partnered with UCEP Nepal to create the Bridge Project aimed at training formerly bonded workers with the skills to find new employment and become self sufficient.
What I really love about this article is that it shows the crossover that different international bodies can have working towards a common goal. Although we tend to think of UN organizations such as the ILO, UNICEF, or UNHCR as separate and independent organizations, many world issues are far more multi-faceted than that and could benefit from international cooperation. Also, I like that it mentions another ILO program. One of the awesome features of the ILO is the various programs and projects that it has going on throughout the world. These groups move the work of the ILO from words on a piece of paper for governments to follow or ignore as they please, to concrete plans of action to make real-world change happen. As a unique feature of the ILO, I hope to see different or new programs utilized in our resolutions at BMUN.
Does the ILO have any projects or programs similar to this in your country?
Would this sort of program be useful in your country? Are there similar conditions for workers?
What might be the limit of how far a program like this can go?
Any questions? Feel free to comment below.
Here's a link to the article: https://www.ilo.org/asia/media-centre/articles/WCMS_619926/lang--en/index.htm
Country: Czech Republic
ReplyDeleteThe Czech Republic has been in close partnership with the ILO ever since its independence from Czechslovakia, and it has worked with the ILO not only to bolster its own economy but in several other cases. It has signed a new prtneeship agreement with the ILO in 2016 in order for the two to work together even more quickly. In the Czech Republic, as it is a developed country, worker’s rights are generally protected and protocol to end “bonded labor” isn’t necessary. However, the Czech republic itself has donated to labor programs in Serbia, Mongolia, and Moldova in an effort to tighten labor laws, and has stressed partnership between the EU and the ILO in the past. Overall, these programs that could be employed in Nepal would not benefit the Czech Republic, but the Czech Republic certainly recognizes their impact.
https://www.ilo.org/budapest/countries-covered/czech-republic/WCMS_471879/lang--en/index.htm
Country: Belgium
ReplyDeleteWhile the ILO does not have any current policies implemented in Belgium, the Belgian government has strongly condemned all nations that exploit and violate the rights of workers and has made this issue a top priority. Belgium in the past, have imposed sanctions on nations such as the Democratic Republic of Congo for the numerous worker right violations as previously seen in Nepal, and further seeks to empower workers with education. Education is a critical component in allowing workers to achieve labor independence. Therefore, Belgium calls for the creation of free schools where workers can diversify their skill-set in facilitating the school-to-work transition. Also, in high-schools, the expansion on after school programs that enhance critical thinking should also be put into effect to provide greater accessibility. Programs such as this, with resemblance to the Nepal Bridge Project, must be emphasized greater as such programs in Belgium have resulted in a more high-skill work force able to seek new jobs in order to avoid exploitation and gain more independence. In the near future, the utilization of international online programs to educate workers in conflict zones and unable to reach the proposed training schools may also be put into effect. While not necessary having the same the same impact as in-person education, online education programs have had domestic success in many European nations such as Belgium, in teaching future and current workers trade skills and other various employment options.
Belgium citations:
Deletewww.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---cabinet/documents/publication/wcms_618176.pdf.
www.ilo.org/global/topics/future-of-work/WCMS_618159/lang--en/index.htm.
Country: Venezuela
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the ILO does not have any projects or programs similar to that in Nepal in Venezuela. As a developing nation that deals with government corruption as well as food and labor crises, Venezuela would greatly benefit from a program like that implemented into the country. In 2016, the food crisis in Venezuela hit an all-time low, and government officials agreed to place a program where non-disabled men worked in the field to help produce more crops for the growing population. These men are taken out of their current jobs (if they have one) and are placed into the fields to help cultivate the land. This would mainly be government approved forced labor because these men do not have a choice in whether or not they want to participate. Most people assigned the task do not want to leave their current jobs for some time while they work rigorously in difficult conditions. Venezuela has realized this is unethical, but the government has done nothing to make a change, and this is significant because the nation is corrupt. Therefore the delegation of Venezuela is in desperate need to introduce a program that helps those that have been affected by the forced labor program. Although a portion of those that get sent off to work return to their original occupations, a majority of them are not able to. The people who have lost their jobs need guidance to find another profession fast to be able to provide for themselves and their families. Venezuela is also experiencing hardships with not having enough workers to sustain the economy. Due to this unfortunate circumstance, people that are hired usually are not aware of their labor rights, or their rights get ignored by employers.
While Venezuela is in desperate need of a project or program that is similar to the one implemented in Nepal, there are limitations as to how much good it will do for the citizens of Venezuela. As a member state of the ILO, Venezuela has passed many of its conventions but fails to enforce the policies listed in them. If a project for helping victims of forced labor/modern slavery was to be applied in Venezuela, the chances are that Venezuelans would be able to glean some information and help them try to seek for job opportunities. However, the labor crisis remains a prevalent issue, which means that people who get the help that they need to find a new job cannot find one that helps their financial situation very much. As a result of increased inflation rates with the country’s national currency, it is hard for employers to pay their workers very much. Thus, these people will keep going through a cycle of poverty and violated labor rights.
The Delegation from Turkey:
ReplyDeleteThe ILO has current policies implemented in Turkey, and the Turkey government strongly condemns all nations that exploit and violate the rights of workers and has made this issue a top priority, especially with the influx of Syrian refugees in our region.
Education for the youth is of utmost importance, empowering them to be aware of and choose their labor conditions. For example, Turkey has an “open door” policy for Syrians, providing children with healthcare, enrollment in schools, and psychological support in order to combat labor rights abuses such as child labor.
Education will be a critical component in allowing workers to achieve labor independence. Turkey suggests the creation of education centers in order to facilitate the school to work transition so that citizens are able to identify the difference between formal and informal employment. Such programs will resemble the Nepal Bridge Project, allowing for exploitation to not even be an option.
In the near future, the utilization of international online programs to educate workers in conflict zones and unable to reach the proposed training schools may also be put into effect. While not necessary having the same the same impact as in-person education, online education programs have had domestic success in many European nations such as Belgium, in teaching future and current workers trade skills and other various employment options.
It is important that we look to end this cycle of violence and labor right abuses. The time has come to reach those who remain ignored and neglected. Abandoning laborers to violent lifestyles in conflict zones is unacceptable, and we must act now so that future generations remember what we did for laborers in armed conflict, rather than our failures.