UPDATE FOR WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR REPORT

UNCLAS PANAMA 002392 SIPDIS SIPDIS DOL/ILAB FOR TINA MCCARTER DRL/IL FOR TU DANG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI USAID PM SUBJECT: UPDATE FOR WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR REPORT REF: STATE 184972 ¶1. (U) Please find below updated information on child labor in Panama, divided by section. Post will report additional statistics septel as they become available. Incidence and Nature of Child Labor -------------- - The Comptroller General's Office reports that over 47,000 children work in Panama, or approximately 7.9 percent of children living in private households. This statistic came from a 2000 study and has been quoted in several recent press stories. - In 2002, 6.5 percent of the population in Panama were living on less than USD 1 a day and 17.1 percent were living on less than $2 a day. (World Bank Development Indicators 2006) - Post has been unable to confirm that insurgent and paramilitary groups from Colombia have forcibly conscripted children from the border region. - In 2004, the gross primary enrollment rate was 112 percent and the net primary enrollment rate was 98 percent. (UNESCO) Child Labor Laws and Enforcement -------------- - Panama adopted a National Child Labor Action Plan in June 2006, to cover the years 2007-2011. - The plan includes goals, implementation strategies, and progress evaluation measures for areas including health, education, legislation, awareness, and investigation. - President Torrijos also signed an executive decree in June 2006 identifying and criminalizing 17 categories of the worst forms of child labor. Arreaga