Dang Dalits struggle to eke out a living- DURGA LAL KC

The country witnessed many changes since they started a risky job of extracting coals in 1989. However, their living standards remain same—they struggle to make their ends meet, while their children are deprived of education.
Every morning, people from the Dalit and Magar settlements in northern Saigha VDC in Dang leave for coalmines near the village where they spend their day.
“We start work at 8 am.
We go as deep as 500 meters to extract coals risking our lives,” said Dalsingh Sunar of Saigha VDC-1. “During the work, we fear the risk of being buried as landslides are unpredictable here.”

He said there would be no one to rescue them in case of a disaster. They are compelled to take up such a risky job to eke out a living due to a lack of alternative sources of income. 
Amrit Nepali of the same village said a person hardly collects six quintals of coals in a day for which s/he is paid only Rs 300. “I am facing difficulties to support my seven-member family with a meager earning from the job,” he said.
Deprived of education, his children work with him for livelihood. “It will be difficult for me to feed my family if they (my children) do not support me,” he said.
Shankar Nepali of Saigha VDC-2 also sees no alternative to working in coalmines despite the serious risks the job entails. “Although the job of a coal miner is full of risks, we are not insured,” he said.
During his 22 years as a miner, he has received no benefits besides a meager pay. There are six coalmines in the VDC, where more than 150 workers are employed.
source:-ekantipur {2012-09-25}