LABOR DEPARTMENT AWARDS $3 MILLION TO HELP YOUTH IN UGANDA

FROM:  U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT 
$3M awarded to World Education by US Labor Department for a youth initiative in Uganda

WASHINGTON —The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced the award of a $3 million cooperative agreement to World Education to implement a project that addresses exploitative labor among youth under the age of 18 in Uganda. The project will provide training to youth to help them develop marketable skills and serve as civic leaders in their communities.

“With the youngest population in the world, Africa faces the acute challenge of providing its young people with opportunities for decent work," said Deputy Undersecretary of Labor for International Affairs Carol Pier. "This project aims to equip youth with the skills and resources they need to escape poverty and exploitative child labor and become leaders in their communities.”

The project will provide youth with formal education and training in entrepreneurship and agribusiness.  It will also support and encourage them to take on leadership roles within their communities. For families, the project will help them improve their livelihoods through skills training and income-generating opportunities. The project is intended to serve as a pilot initiative that could be replicated in other African countries.

Young African Leaders Initiative, which is focused on investing in the next generation of African leaders and strengthening partnerships between the United States and Africa.

Since 1995, ILAB projects have rescued approximately 1.7 million children from exploitative child labor. The Labor Department has funded 275 such projects implemented by more than 65 organizations in 93 countries. ILAB currently oversees more than $245 million of active programming to combat the worst forms of child labor.

DOL ANNOUNCES $5 MILLION GRANT SOLICITATION TO COMBAT CHILD LABOR IN BURMA

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

US Department of Labor announces $5 million grant solicitation to combat child labor in Burma

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $5 million solicitation for cooperative agreement applications to support Burma's efforts to reduce child labor.

The project(s) funded under this solicitation will develop pilot programs to remove or prevent children from exploitative labor and raise awareness in support of Burma's efforts to comply with international standards. Eligible applicants should propose research that yields much-needed credible, comprehensive data on the extent of child labor in Burma. The project will build the capacity of national and local organizations to advocate for a reduction of child labor and improve access to quality education and other relevant services for children and their families.

Applications must be submitted by Oct. 4, 2013, at 5 p.m. EDT electronically or as hard copies to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Procurement Services, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Room S-4307, Washington, D.C. 20210, Attention: Brenda White.

LABOR DEPARTMENT UPDATES LISTS OF PRODUCTS MADE BY INDENTURED CHILDREN

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 
US Labor Department updates list of products made by forced or indentured child labor

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a revised "List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor," adding six new products from five countries. Federal contractors supplying products on the list must certify the goods were not produced by forced or indentured child labor in accordance with Executive Order 13126.

The Departments of Labor, State and Homeland Security published a Federal Register notice updating the list that adds cattle from South Sudan, dried fish from Bangladesh, fish from Ghana, garments from Vietnam, and gold and wolframite from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Public comments were solicited, received, and considered in the agencies' final determination.

ILAB published the first list in 2001 and revisions each year from 2010 through 2012.  Information about ILAB and its program activities is available at http://www.dol.gov/ilab/. The notice is scheduled to be published in the July 23, 2013, Federal Register.

2013 WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOR

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
2013 World Day Against Child Labor: "No" to Child Labor in Domestic Work
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
June 12, 2013
　


We are proud to stand united with our partners in the international community on this World Day Against Child Labor, and with one voice, we call for the elimination of child labor.

The International Labor Organization’s latest estimates suggest that over 215 million boys and girls throughout the world are involved in child labor. This year, World Day Against Child Labor calls attention to child labor in domestic work.

Because domestic work is carried out largely behind closed doors, these children are particularly vulnerable to hazardous and exploitative conditions and are often subject to sexual harassment, and mental and physical abuse.

The Department of State’s labor officers, based at our foreign missions throughout the world, provide insightful reports from the field highlighting the plight of child laborers.

The U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report call attention to worldwide trends in child labor. We also recognize that engagement on the grassroots level by NGOs and civil society groups is essential and we applaud and support the efforts of these organizations.

We call on our partners in the international community to join us in fulfilling our collective commitment to these children by adopting national policies that eliminate child labor and create an environment that prevents the exploitation of children.

Together, we can make a difference.