Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS828
2008-06-02 12:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIUM: INFORMATION ON FORCED LABOR AND CHILD
how-toVZCZCXYZ0016 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBS #0828 1541247 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 021247Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7523
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
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
.
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
.