Laxmi Chaudhary is a member of the Janachetana community group which is located in Bardiya district in South West Nepal. Like Laxmi, most of the group members of this community are landless, whose main source of income is daily wages for agricultural labour in their area. The landlords have determined the wage of NRs 130 per day (approx. USD 1.3) per worker, which is very low in comparison with the labour law. But people like “Laxmi” did not have any choice except accepting their offer. The average size of a family in this community is 5-6 members so it is extremely difficult to cover family expenses on these wages.  The villagers were being exploited as they were not getting the minimum wages rate set by the government. Families were compelled to take loans from ‘loan sharks’ every year to cover their family expenses. 

As low wages was such a fundamental problem in the community, the Janachetana community group held extensive discussions amongst themselves and prepared an action plan. As a part of it, the group organised discussion program between the other villagers to create pressure on the landlords and local leaders to participate in further discussions.  As a result, eventually, the big farmers and landlords agreed to increase the wages rate for all kinds of agricultural labour. Because of this action, Laxmi and her fellow villagers are now receiving the amount “Nepal government” has determined for their work.

Laxmi explains that they learned how to work together as a group, provide mutual support and to move forward collectively.  She adds that they realised and learned that they themselves had the ability to solve major problems and did not need to rely on outside help through series of interaction, meetings and mainly through CODE sessions.