Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PANAMA2392
2006-12-15 21:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Panama
Cable title:  

UPDATE FOR WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR REPORT

Tags:  ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI USAID PM 
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VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHZP #2392 3492159
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 152159Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA
TO RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9512
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0278
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

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