RESPONSE TO GOP ON DOL CHILD LABOR REPORT

UNCLAS PANAMA 002259 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN ELIA TELLO, DRL MANCHAREE JUNK DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR TINA MCCARTER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV ELAB PM SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO GOP ON DOL CHILD LABOR REPORT REF: PANAMA 1932 ¶1. (U) The Public Ministry, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has requested a copy of the Department of Labor child labor report that generated front-page controversy when it was released in September 2006 (reftel). Panamanian press reports misquoted the report, saying that according to the report one in 25 children in Panama were trafficked for sexual exploitation, when in reality the report stated that one in 25 children worked. ¶2. (U) ACTION REQUEST. Below is the text of post's proposed response. Post requests Department clearance. ¶3. (U) BEGIN TEXT. (Complimentary opening). Attached is a copy of the U.S. Department of Labor's 2005 Report on the Worst Forms of Child Labor for Panama. The Department of Labor prepared the 2005 report, as mandated by the Trade and Development Act of 2000, on 137 countries that receive benefits under various trade acts. The statistic quoted in La Prensa, stating that one in 25 Panamanian children is obligated to work, is from the first section of the report and came from the Panamanian Census and Statistics Directorate. (Complimentary closing.) END TEXT. EATON