Does Social Labeling Displace Child Labor and Increase Child Schooling? Evidence from Nepal (English shop)

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The dissertation “Does Social Labeling Displace Child Labor and Increase Child Schooling? Evidence from Nepal” by Sayan Chakrabarty examines the effectiveness of social labeling initiatives in reducing child labor and promoting school attendance in Nepal. The research focuses on whether certification programs in the Nepalese carpet industry can encourage children to leave employment and pursue education. It investigates initiatives such as Rugmark, Care & Fair, and STEP, examining their monitoring mechanisms, educational programs, rehabilitation activities, and social welfare measures. Based on empirical household surveys conducted in the Kathmandu Valley and econometric analyses, the study explores relationships between child labor, household poverty, adult income, nutritional conditions, and schooling decisions. The findings indicate that social labeling initiatives can significantly reduce child labor among households above the subsistence level, while their effectiveness remains limited among extremely poor families. Regular monitoring and targeted educational assistance increase the likelihood of children transitioning from employment to school. The dissertation highlights the importance of credible certification systems, effective monitoring, poverty reduction, and social protection measures in achieving sustainable improvements in children’s educational opportunities and reducing child labor.