Speaking at an interaction on 'Household Work and Service-Based Economy' organized by the Nepal Human Rights Film Center in Kathmandu, stakeholders said that the ratio of household labor to gross domestic product should be calculated.
What you should know
Stakeholders have demanded that this work be systematic by highlighting the contribution of household and service-oriented work.
Speaking at an interaction on ‘Household Work and Service Economy’ organized by the Nepal Human Rights Film Center in Kathmandu, they said that the ratio of household labor to gross domestic product should be calculated.
Economist Dr. Bikal Shrestha said that the country has not yet calculated the contribution of household and service work. ‘Until any issue is linked to the country’s economy, it is difficult to find importance. In today’s situation, if we look at it directly, its contribution to our economy is zero,’ he said, ‘because no study has been done on this and it cannot be linked to business.’
He added, ‘There is also a way to establish its importance. We can calculate the opportunity cost and compare it with the total GDP. Just as we calculate remittances and compare it with the economy.’
Similarly, social activist Ritu Bhatta said that it is not enough to just look at household work in statistics. ‘We cannot just see household work in terms of the economy. Our Eastern philosophy emphasizes emotions and spirituality. And, emotionally, the contribution of household and service work is huge,’ she said. ‘Small tasks done at home play a very important role in shaping our lives. We must first understand its importance ourselves and then make others understand it too.’
Bishnu Khatri, former president of the Human Rights Film Center, said that in Nepal, women are found to be more active in household work than men. He said, ‘Women spend an average of 29 hours per week on household work and men only 5 hours. This highlights the importance of women. But we need to study this more in detail. Similarly, men should also increase their involvement in household work.’
He said that the contribution of service work to the global economy is large and its impact in Nepal is projected to increase. He said, ‘Today we have youth.’ But in the next 15-20 years, the number of senior citizens will be high. At that time, a large number of manpower will be required to serve them. That is why it is necessary to increase the debate and discussion on the service economy.’
He said that kitchen, sanitation, children, senior citizens, patients, guest service, livestock care, agriculture, festivals, worship, social work, etc. have been included in the service economy. He said that it is necessary to highlight its importance by comparing its importance with the economic aspect.
At the program jointly organized by the Canadian High Commission, the Human Rights Film Center and Unnati Nepal in collaboration with the CAFLI project, Samyukta Bhattarai of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Manju Gurung of Paurakhi Nepal, Ashok Rana of the National Network for Safe Migration, and others shared their views.
