BOLIVIA'S FIRST STEPS AT ABOLISHING MODERN SLAVERY

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