By announcing the distribution of child labor free certificates, Nepal tried to re-establish the carpet industry in the world market.
At that time, the main export business that earned foreign exchange was the carpet industry. In the 50s, carpets worth 13 to 14 billion rupees were exported every year. America, Europe and Germany were the main markets of Nepali carpets.
Germany was a big market for Nepali carpets. Thousands of people were employed in carpet factories in Nepal and carpets accounted for nearly 60 percent of the export trade.
When carpets were getting market in the world market, national and international organizations raised the issue of child labor. Non-governmental organizations of Nepal had promoted the use of child labor in Nepali carpets.
International organizations including Ragmarg in Nepal were constantly raising the issue of the use of child labor in Nepali carpets. The carpet entrepreneurs have been saying that the business has collapsed due to their propaganda that is far from reality.
Germany's Panorama Television made a documentary about the use of child labor. Due to this, the order of carpets from Germany started to decrease . But the rampant propaganda against the carpet did not stop.
Finally, the government announced that carpets produced in Nepal will be certified child labor-free from October 2051. The entrepreneurs asked to take care of the problems that may arise during the distribution of child labor free certificates.
The entrepreneur said that manufacturing using the child labor-free label would already have problems selling stock carpets in warehouses . But the Ministry of Labor had prepared to use child labor free stickers and logos. ![[Archive] The child labor issue that brought down the carpet industry](https://assets-cdn.kantipurdaily.com/uploads/source/news/kantipur/2025/miscellaneous/2051-5-21-0992025081437-1000x0.jpg)
The ministry had put forward 13 formula basic conditions to grant the child labor free certificate . In the condition, it was mentioned that the code number of the loom, the name of the factory and the identity card of the weavers must be made mandatory . Prohibition of entry of children in the factory area, if there is any doubt about the age of the workers, the condition of obtaining an age certificate from the concerned district administration was moved. The provisions were also passed by the Council of Ministers in the second week of August 2051.
2051 Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and carpet entrepreneurs were prepared to participate in the first week of October 2051 in Germany before the Nepali Carpet Ortefa Fair. Especially before the fair, they were prepared to go there to give information about child labor.
Carpet Importers' Organization (BVOI), Panorama Channel and other journalists, European Parliamentarians and representatives of the World Labor Organization were prepared to be invited for a visit . How sensitive is the issue of child labor in particular? It was prepared to invite them for the purpose of informing Nepal on the 'issue' such as whether child labor is used or not.
In December 1994, the United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF prepared to promote internationally about Nepali child laborers. Entrepreneurs were concerned that the content promoted in the program would affect the Nepali carpet industry.
The entrepreneur's opinion was that the Nepal government should make a strategy to stop the false propaganda and stop the propaganda. The entrepreneur also suggested contacting the famous Service General Service (SGS), which controls the international quality of Nepali carpets.
In the name of child labor, the unrestrained campaign against Nepali carpets, putting child labor-free stickers on carpets and the questions raised about Nepali carpets in the international arena were prepared by journalist Shyam Ghimire and published by Kantipur Dainik on August 21, 2051 under the title 'Request not to rush the distribution of child labor-free certificates on carpets'.
Presentation: Rishiram Paudyal
![[Archive] The child labor issue that brought down the carpet industry](https://assets-cdn-api.ekantipur.com/thumb.php?src=https://assets-cdn.ekantipur.com/uploads/source/news/kantipur/2025/third-party/children-1492022052116-1000x0-1262025091935-1000x01-0992025081831-1000x0.jpg&w=1001&h=0)