Cablegate: Response to Worst Forms of Child Labor Information

VZCZCXYZ0010
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLP #0161 0241156
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 241156Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6276
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0092
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS LA PAZ 000161

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PLEASE PASS TO DOL/ILAB TINA MCCARTER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BL EIND ELAB ETRD PHUM SOCI
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR INFORMATION

REF: STATE 149662

1. There has been no change in 2007 with regards to worst
forms of child labor in Bolivia other than the three areas
described below:

2. Question: How many child labor investigations have
resulted in fines, penalties, or convictions? Answer: There
was one case of a jail sentence handed out involving a child
labor exploitation cases in Cochabamba in December 2006.

3. Question: Are there social programs specifically
designed to prevent and withdraw children from the worst
forms of child labor? Answer: The U.S. Department of Labor
International Child Labor Technical Assistance program
awarded Bolivia a $3.3 million dollar three year program
designed to combat exploitive child labor in October 2007.
Additionally, the Counsel on Trafficking in Persons under the
auspices of the Ministry of Justice, in coordination with
IOM, ran a public service announcement campaign informing
intending immigrants about their basic rights regardless of
their immigration status abroad.

4. Question: Does the country have a comprehensive policy
aimed at the elimination of the worst forms of child labor?
Answer: The Government of Bolivia has begun a cash payment
program (Bono Juancito Pinto) to encourage child to attend
and stay in school. Elementary students in grades 1 - 6
receive a payment of approximately $15USD at the beginning of
the school year and another for the same amount at the end of
the school year.
GOLDBERG

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