Working Conditions and Challenges of Motorcycle Repair Workshop Workers: Evidence from Lagankhel, Nepal

This paper examines working conditions and issues faced by workers in motorcycle repair workshops in Lagankhel, Nepal. Motorcycles are commonly used as a means of transportation in Nepal, particularly in urban areas like Kathmandu Valley. It is based on primary data collected during fieldwork. Using purposive sampling, data were collected from 30 workers through interviews and observations. The study highlights that most motorcycle repair workshop workers in Nepal are male and come from diverse caste and ethnic backgrounds, with many migrating from the Terai region and India. Working conditions of workers are worse, such as inadequate drinking water and toilets, and they face challenges such as long working hours, low wages, irregular payments, and job insecurity. The majority of the workers are experiencing insecurity in employment, having a daily wage of up to NPR 500, and excessively long working hours, such as 11 hours or more per day. Health hazards were common, including frequent cases of skin diseases, work-related injuries, and respiratory problems due to prolonged chemical exposure.