BELGIUM: INFORMATION ON FORCED LABOR AND CHILD

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000828 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI BE SUBJECT: BELGIUM: INFORMATION ON FORCED LABOR AND CHILD LABOR IN THE PRODUCTION OF GOODS REF: STATE 41381 ¶1. Article 22b of the Belgian Constitution states that "each child has the right to the respect of its moral, physical, mental and sexual integrity." In 1992, the Belgian Parliament adopted legislation imposing a total ban on child labor. The legislation was put into effect through the Royal Decree of March 11, 1993. This legislation follows the criteria set by ILO Convention 138 on the minimum age and ILO Convention 182 on child labor, two conventions ratified by Belgium. Gainful employment of children under age 15 or who fall under the compulsory education rules (by time in school) is banned. There is no compulsory education beyond age 16. ¶2. Belgian legislation also states that there is a ban on activities which might harm the "pedagogical, intellectual and social development of a child, and might endanger the child's physical and moral integrity." Wavers can be granted on an individual basis and for temporary work only (e.g. as an actor, model, performer, dancer, etc...). Prior to employing a child, written permission has to be obtained from the father, mother or legal guardian. There are strict rules regarding the maximum time of employment per day, as well as regarding rest periods and total annual employment. ¶3. Specific rules have to be observed regarding payment of child labor. It has to be done on an individual account opened under the name of the child, and parents or legal guardians only have access to the account under certain conditions. Permits to employ children are issued by the Inspector General of Social Legislation of the Employment Ministry. ¶4. Belgium also has adopted legislation on the promotion of socially responsible production by means of a labeling system, which requires labels on products to indicate they were not produced by child labor. There are prohibitions for young workers aged 15-18, and restrictions for workers aged 18-21 regarding dangerous jobs, and jobs which might harm their physical and/or moral welfare. There are no current reports of exploitative child labor in the production of goods in Belgium. FOX .