ILAB News Release: [05/11/2004] Contact Name: Mike
Biddle Phone Number: (202) 693-5051
Labor Department Issues Third Report on Child Labor in
Trade Beneficiary Countries
Report Specified Under the Trade and Development
Act
WASHINGTONThe Labor Department today released its third
annual report on the worst forms of child labor in 144 countries and
territories that receive U.S. trade benefits.
The United States believes that all people can benefit from the
enormous opportunities created by free trade, said Arnold Levine, deputy
under secretary for international labor affairs for the U.S. Department of
Labor, in announcing the report. Yet a free market can only operate
efficiently when it is supported by protections for workers, including
protections from the worst forms of child labor.
The departments Bureau of International Labor Affairs prepared
The Department of Labors 2003 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child
Labor in response to a child labor reporting requirement under the Trade
and Development Act of 2000. Under the act, trade beneficiary countries and
territories are required to implement their international commitments to
eliminate the worst forms of child labor. As defined by International Labor
Organization Convention 182, the worst forms of child labor include any form of
slavery, such as forced or indentured child labor; the trafficking of children
and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict; child
prostitution and pornography; and work that is likely to harm the health,
safety or morals of children. The report presents information on the nature and
extent of the problem in each of these 144 countries and territories and the
efforts being made by their governments to eliminate the worst forms of child
labor.
The bureaus International Child Labor Program collected data from
a wide variety of sources, including U.S. embassies and consulates, foreign
governments, nongovernmental organizations, and international agencies. In
addition, bureau staff conducted field visits to certain countries covered in
the report.
The report is available at www.dol.gov/ILAB/media/reports/iclp/main.htm.
Beginning July 30, 2004, printed copies of the report will be available from
the International Child Labor Program, Bureau of International Labor Affairs,
U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-5307, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20210. Telephone: (202) 693-4843; Fax (202) 693-4830; E-mail:
GlobalKids@dol.gov.
ILAB conducts research on and formulates international economic,
trade, immigration and labor policies and provides international technical
assistance in support of U.S. foreign labor policy objectives.
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