Cablegate: Bolivia's First Steps at Abolishing Modern Slavery

VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLP #3375 3481625
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 141625Z DEC 06 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1654
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6393
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 3717
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7587
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 4837
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2089
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 2162
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4285
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 4726
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 9311
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL

UNCLAS LA PAZ 003375

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM BL
SUBJECT: BOLIVIA'S FIRST STEPS AT ABOLISHING MODERN SLAVERY

1. (U) The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates
that over seven thousand Guaranis live in forced labor
situations on ranches in Bolivia's Chaco, which overlaps the
departments of Chuquisaca, Santa Cruz and Tarija. Men's
wages are usually between $1.25 to $1.75 USD per day. Women
receive half as much, children and the elderly are often not
paid, yet are still required to work. The ranch owners
deduct food, shelter, and clothing expenses from the
Guaranis' salaries at inflated prices. Annual expenses
usually exceed annual wages, pushing the Guaranis into debt
servitude which is transferred across generations. The
living conditions are very poor; most of the families lack
potable water, electricity, access to schools and medical
care.

2. (U) The Bolivian human rights ombudsman conducted an
investigation of the Guaranis' situation and issued a report
in November 2005, urging the national and departmental
governments to address the problem. In 2006, officials from
the Ministry of Justice, with financial and technical
assistance from the ILO and the Swiss, began negotiations
with ranch owners to normalize Guarani working conditions and
obtain payments from ranch owners for unpaid wages. On
November 6, the GOB secured payment to a group of eight
Guarani families. This first settlement of 23,000 bolivanos
($2,875 USD) was divided between the families, with some
receiving $225 USD and others receiving up to $750 USD.
-------
Comment
-------

3. (SBU) After many years of government inaction, the
Guaranis are beginning to see concrete results. Per a 2004
report, there 894 Guarani families living in indentured
servitude. Having only compensated eight families, the GOB
has a long way to go to, but it has finally made the
necessary first step. End Comment.
GOLDBERG

© Scoop Media