TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

Consequences – The kidney extraction can have far reaching consequences on the individual
physical and mental health. In the sample of 36 victims of kidney extraction, majority reported
multiple health problems such as feeling weakness, chronic headache, and no appetite, disorder in
sleeping, vomiting and impotence. As many of the victims of the kidney removal are breadwinner in
the family, the result of bad physical and mental health will have adverse impact on income of the
household and livelihood. It is also found that the victims are also socially stigmatized and loathed. It
is also reported that even their children are also stigmatized during their school hours or at play. The
study establishes the fact that the victims are also financially cheated by the agents. In the sample of
36 victims of kidney removal, the average amount promised before removal of kidney is estimated
to be Rs. 172,500 against the paid amount of Rs. 102,000. Looking at the data of the usage of the
money earned by a sale of the kidney, it appears that the victims mainly spend money in daily
household consumption including in religious and social function (Table 2.10).
Table 2.10 An overview of consequence of extraction of kidney (in number of victims) (N=36)
Key characteristics Number Number
Post-donation health symptoms
Promise-Payment Status
(Multiple response)
Feeling weakness 28 Average amount promised (in Rs.) 172,500
Headache 20 Average amount paid (in Rs.) 102,000
No appetite 18 Net cheating (in Rs.) 70,500
Sleeplessness 17 Use of money
Vomiting 12 Buying a house/land 9
Impotence 10 Buying household amenities like TV,
7
phone
Others 4 Ritual expenses (marriage etc) 5
Social experiences (Multiple
Children’s education 5
response)
Hatred 24 Investment in productive sector 4
Desired to meet similar people 17 Buying ornament 2
No differences 9 Buying a motor-cycle 1
Other (Negative) 1 Others 16
Source: PPR Nepal (2015).
Although the PPR Nepal’s study is a pioneering evidence-based study about the TIP for kidney
removal, it fails to provide the estimates of the magnitude of the victims of kidney removal. This is
because the sampling of victims of illegal kidney extraction did not come from the randomization
process. Second problem of the PPR Nepal’s study is that it fails to provide the reference period of
the victims – making it difficult to discern whether it is the current phenomenon or past one.
2.6 Child Trafficking
2.6.1 Vulnerability of Trafficking: Child Labor
Child vulnerability of trafficking is enormous in Nepal as indicated by the very high estimated
number of children in child labor situation (Table 2.11). According to the Nepal Child Labor Report
2012 (ILO, 2012a), 40 percent of the 7.77 million estimated number of children in Nepal are working
children. Nearly 21 percent are in the state of child labor and 8 per cent are in the state of worst
form of child labor such as child labor in brick kilns, hotels/restaurants, domestic workers, transport
workers, construction and pottering, sex workers, and children involved in brining of illicit drugs and
goods in border areas of Nepal.
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