Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BELGRADE1640
2007-12-10 15:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Belgrade
Cable title:  

SERBIA: THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR REPORT

Tags:  ECON PHUM SOCI SR MW 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0005
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBW #1640/01 3441549
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 101549Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1864
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0201
UNCLAS BELGRADE 001640 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
DOL/ILAB FOR TINA MCCARTER
DRL/IL FOR TU DANG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PHUM SOCI SR MW
SUBJECT: SERBIA: THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR REPORT

REF: State 158223

SUMMARY
-------

UNCLAS BELGRADE 001640

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
DOL/ILAB FOR TINA MCCARTER
DRL/IL FOR TU DANG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PHUM SOCI SR MW
SUBJECT: SERBIA: THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR REPORT

REF: State 158223

SUMMARY
--------------


1. Reftel requested post input for Serbia, as a recipient of trade
benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program,
on efforts to combat child labor. Serbia is upholding its
international commitments to eliminate the worst forms of child
labor. END SUMMARY.

INCIDENCE AND NATURE OF CHILD LABOR
--------------


2. Children in the Republic of Serbia can be found working in rural
areas on family farms or other family businesses. Children also
work in the informal sector, selling small items or washing car
windows. Children from poor, rural communities, Roma children and
children living with foster families are at the highest risk for
entering exploitive child labor including begging, theft,
prostitution, dealing narcotics and hard physical labor, according
to a study released in March 2006 by the Labor, Employment and
Social Policy Ministry and the NGO Children's Rights Center.
According to UNICEF, 4.3% of non-Roma children between the ages 5
and 14 are involved in child labor - mainly unpaid and working for
the family business - compared to 7% of Roma children. Of the
poorest households, 8.4% of children in that age group are child
laborers.


3. Serbia is a source, transit and destination country for
children, particularly girls, trafficked trans-nationally and
internally for forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. The
number of sex trafficking cases of women and girls has increased in
the past year. Roma children are particularly vulnerable to
trafficking for forced begging and theft rings.

CHILD LABOR LAWS AND ENFORCEMENT
--------------


4. The minimum age of employment is 15 years old. However, it is
not clear if the minimum age for employment applies to self-employed
children. Children under 18 are prohibited from hazardous work and
can only enter work upon written approval of a parent or guardian
and under conditions that do not "jeopardize their health, morals
and education," including work that involves strenuous physical
activity; work underground, underwater, or at dangerous heights; or
exposure to toxic, carcinogenic substances, extreme temperatures,
noise, or vibrations. Further, children under 18 are not allowed to
work overtime hours or at night, and are allowed to work no more
than 35 hours per week. The law provides for monetary penalties for
violation of these provisions. The government is effectively
enforcing child labor laws.


5. Forced labor is prohibited. Males are eligible for conscription
into the armed forces at 18, but they can be recruited for voluntary
service in the year of their 17th birthday. Alternative military
service is available. The criminal law addresses prostitution and
pornography. Prostitution involving a minor is punishable by 1 to
10 years of imprisonment. Showing pornographic materials to minors
is a criminal offense. The penal code addresses all forms
trafficking. From 2005 to 2006, 15 traffickers were convicted, with
sentences ranging from 2 to 8 years of imprisonment. A group of
traffickers was attempting to traffic Ukrainian girls into Serbia at
a border crossing in February 2006 and was interdicted by police
following extensive training of police and border guards. According
to the U.S. Department of State, there were reports of corruption
among some police complicit in a prostitution ring in Novi Pazar,
but the government has not responded to these allegations or taken
action against public officials allegedly complicit in trafficking.

CURRENT GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMS TO ELIMINATE THE WORST
FORMS OF CHILD LABOR
-------------- --------------


6. The Labor, Employment and Social Issues Ministry includes child
labor prevention in its regular protection programs for children and
families. A new department within the Ministry was recently created
to combat social problems within the Roma community that often lead
to forced labor. The focus will include improving educational and
health services, among other services.


7. The National Council submitted an anti-trafficking strategy for
2006-2009 to the Serbian Government for approval, and the government
is implementing elements of the plan. To prevent trafficking, the
government's officers have refused more than 4,000 visa applications
from countries of known origin of trafficking.

COMMENT
--------------

8. Serbia has adequate laws that meet international standards to
discourage child labor. However, the government needs to be more
active and effective in helping the Roma and impoverished children
who are most susceptible to exploitation. The creation of new
department within the Labor Ministry to help Roma children is a step
in the right direction. In addition, Serbia is working with its
neighbors to combat trafficking in persons. END COMMENT

MUNTER