Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PANAMA1174
2006-06-15 21:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Panama
Cable title:
PANAMA CRIMINALIZES WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR
how-toVZCZCXYZ0034 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHZP #1174 1662125 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 152125Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8346 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL//J5/J2/POLAD//
UNCLAS PANAMA 001174
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ELAB PA
SUBJECT: PANAMA CRIMINALIZES WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR
UNCLAS PANAMA 001174
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ELAB PA
SUBJECT: PANAMA CRIMINALIZES WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR
1. (U) President Torrijos signed an executive decree June 12
to identify and criminalize the worst forms of child labor,
marking a significant step in the fight against the worst
forms of child labor in Panama. Emboffs attended the signing
ceremony, held in a school gymnasium in Penonome, Cocle
Province. The First Lady, Minister of Education, Minister of
Social Development, and Acting Labor Minister were also in
attendance, joined by over 800 schoolchildren who were former
child laborers.
2. (U) The decree is an essential step for Panama to ratify
the International Labor Organization's Convention 182 on the
elimination of the worst forms of child labor. It identified
17 categories as the worst forms of child labor, including
the use of children in drug trafficking, criminal activities,
and sexual exploitation. The decree also established the
minimum working age at 14 and specified the right of children
to fair pay for their labor. In addition to the signature of
the decree by Torrijos and Acting Labor Minister Cedeno, the
President received the National Plan against child labor.
3. (U) Following the signing, the President and First Lady
handed out checks to the children in attendance to help
support their families and thus allow them to stay in school.
The 800 schoolchildren were of all ages and from all over
Panama. Each child received $120, the first of three
disbursements over a three-year period. The children had
been working in a variety of fields, from picking coffee
beans to sorting garbage and selling candies on the streets,
and were chosen by the GOP's technical secretariat on child
labor. None of the children Emboffs spoke to said their
parents had regular jobs.
4. (U) Throughout the energetic and colorful ceremony, Pres.
Torrijos and the First Lady reiterated their support for the
fight against child labor, stating that the elimination of
the worst forms of child labor was a big priority for the
GOP. The signing of this decree and the financial support
given to over 800 families are certainly important. How the
GOP now proceeds to follow through on its commitments remains
to be seen, especially by the estimated 50,000 child laborers
in Panama.
ARREAGA
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ELAB PA
SUBJECT: PANAMA CRIMINALIZES WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR
1. (U) President Torrijos signed an executive decree June 12
to identify and criminalize the worst forms of child labor,
marking a significant step in the fight against the worst
forms of child labor in Panama. Emboffs attended the signing
ceremony, held in a school gymnasium in Penonome, Cocle
Province. The First Lady, Minister of Education, Minister of
Social Development, and Acting Labor Minister were also in
attendance, joined by over 800 schoolchildren who were former
child laborers.
2. (U) The decree is an essential step for Panama to ratify
the International Labor Organization's Convention 182 on the
elimination of the worst forms of child labor. It identified
17 categories as the worst forms of child labor, including
the use of children in drug trafficking, criminal activities,
and sexual exploitation. The decree also established the
minimum working age at 14 and specified the right of children
to fair pay for their labor. In addition to the signature of
the decree by Torrijos and Acting Labor Minister Cedeno, the
President received the National Plan against child labor.
3. (U) Following the signing, the President and First Lady
handed out checks to the children in attendance to help
support their families and thus allow them to stay in school.
The 800 schoolchildren were of all ages and from all over
Panama. Each child received $120, the first of three
disbursements over a three-year period. The children had
been working in a variety of fields, from picking coffee
beans to sorting garbage and selling candies on the streets,
and were chosen by the GOP's technical secretariat on child
labor. None of the children Emboffs spoke to said their
parents had regular jobs.
4. (U) Throughout the energetic and colorful ceremony, Pres.
Torrijos and the First Lady reiterated their support for the
fight against child labor, stating that the elimination of
the worst forms of child labor was a big priority for the
GOP. The signing of this decree and the financial support
given to over 800 families are certainly important. How the
GOP now proceeds to follow through on its commitments remains
to be seen, especially by the estimated 50,000 child laborers
in Panama.
ARREAGA