17% freed haliyas fall back to same slavery-like system

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Mar. 27: Some 17 per cent of freed Haliyas have fallen back to the same ill practice of bonded labour even after 15 years of the abolishment of the system akin to slavery.

A report entitled ESCR Yearbook 2022 made public today revealed that "even after the abolishment of the Haliya system, still 17% among men and 9% among women respondents are forced to continue being Haliya because of their economic situation."

The finding of the report is based on the data collected from 7,982 Haliya households and 211 duty bearers by means of mobile app for quantitative and through different types of discussions for qualitative data.

83% freed Haliyas still do not have the Haliya ID card, revealed the study, as a major hindrance to the rehabilitation of the victims of the slavery-like system.

Nearly 95% Haliyas living below the poverty line and that 95% of them are from the Dalit community, the lowest caste in the Hindu caste hierarchy.

The report concludes that securing the human rights of the freed Haliyas still require efforts on multiple fronts, read a statement by Nepalese Campaign for Human Rights and Social Transformation Nepal (CAHURAST), one of the organizations of the joint study.

Haliya is a system of agrictultural bonded labour that prevailed in 12 western hill districts of Karnali and Sudur Paschim provinces of Nepal.

Haliyas used to work for their landlords for generations to repay the debt taken by their forefathers.

After signing a five points agreement with the Haliya Organisation, the government of Nepal abolished the Haliya system in 2008 and freed from debt bondage and the Haliya system.