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U.S. DOL Reports/Child Labor Products List

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In December 2010, DOL released three reports on child labor and/or forced labor in foreign countries. Included in the release is the newly redesigned, ninth annual Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, a report mandated by the Trade and Development Act of 2000 that provides information on the efforts of certain U.S. trade beneficiary countries to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. This year’s report highlights the major findings related to each government’s efforts and includes country-specific suggestions for government action to combat these problems.

DOL also released ILAB’s update to its List of Goods Produced by Child or Forced Labor, which is mandated by the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005. The update adds 6 new goods and 12 new countries for a total of 128 goods from 70 countries that ILAB has reason to believe are produced by forced labor, child labor or both, in violation of international standards.

DOL released ILAB’s proposed revision to the current List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor pursuant to Executive Order 13126 of 1999. The proposed revision removes one product from the list and adds another, for a total of 29 products from 21 countries. A link to the reports can also be found here.

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A dozen nations added to U.S. Government child, forced labor list (AP)

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WASHINGTON — The Labor Department is adding a dozen countries to the list of nations that use child labor or forced labor, as officials warn the global economic crisis could cause an upswing in the exploitation of children and other workers.

From coffee grown in El Salvador to sapphires mined in Madagascar, the agency’s latest reports, to be released Wednesday, identify 128 goods from 70 countries where child labor, forced labor or both are used in violation of international standards.

“Shining light on these problems is a first step toward motivating governments, the private sector and concerned citizens to take action to end these intolerable abuses that have no place in our modern world,” said Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

New to the list are Angola, Central African Republic, Chad, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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U.S. DOL Proposes Revisions to List of Products Made from Forced or Indentured Child Labor

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Initial Determination Proposing Revisions to the EO 13126 List

On December 15, 2010 the Department of Labor announced an initial determination proposing to update the EO 13126 list in accordance with the “Procedural Guidelines for the Maintenance of the List of Products Requiring Federal Contractor Certification as to Forced or Indentured Child Labor.” The initial determination proposes to add Hand-Woven Textiles from Ethiopia to the list. It also proposes to remove Charcoal from Brazil from the list where, preliminarily, the Department of Labor has reason to believe that the use of forced or indentured child labor has been significantly reduced if not eliminated. On December 16, 2010 DOL published a notice in the Federal Register officially requesting public comment on its initial determination for a period of 60 days. On December 23rd, 2010 DOL published a correction to the December 16th initial determination. DOL will consider all public comments prior to publishing a final determination updating the list of products, made in consultation and cooperation with the Departments of State and Homeland Security. Until publication of the final determination, the current July 20, 2010 list remains valid. [Continue to see the list].

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Essay Contest Provides Insight into the Lives of Farmworker Youth

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“….it makes me sad to see children out in the steaming hot sun….I believe children should not be in the fields with their parents suffering the same way.”
–Daisy Ortiz, 14, who has worked with her parents picking peaches, blueberries, and apples

NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg and I recently had the privilege of serving as judges for an essay contest put on by one of our Children in the Fields Campaign partners, the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs. The contest called for farmworker children to address their hopes and dreams for the future and the challenges that stood in their way.

The essays were truly inspiring. Many of the kids work and go to school. Many have lived in more poverty and uncertainty in their short lives than many of us have experienced in longer lives. Their occupational dreams mirror those of other kids. The entrants said they wanted to be a doctor, artist, baseball player, customs officer, social worker, computer engineer, actor, soccer player, psychologist, architect, model, firefighter, dancer, police officer, journalist, teacher, cosmetologist, lawyer, nurse, novelist, pilot, interpreter, boxer, and mechanic. Many said they wanted to be the first person in their family to go to college.

Israel Rodriguez, a 15-year-old from Salem, Oregon and the winner of the essay in the 14- to 18-year-old category, said that his dream was to go to law school so that he could “fight against injustices… that affect migrant and seasonal farmworkers. “

Israel Rodriguez, 15

Child labor, migration and poverty are just a few of the many obstacles that stand in the way of achieving those dreams.

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