BANGLADESH SHRIMP SECTOR - CHILD LABOR PRESENT BUT NOT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 DHAKA 000618 SIPDIS WHITE HOUSE FOR USTR: AARON ROSENBERG, MEREDETH SANDLER, ADINA ADLER DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR ILAB: TIMOTHY WEDDING, RACHEL RIGBY, JENNIFER PIORKOWSKI DEPT FOR: USAID, G/TIP, G, DRL, IWI, PRM, SCA/RA, SCA/PB, EA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB EAGR ETRD SOCI PGOV KWMN BG SUBJECT: BANGLADESH SHRIMP SECTOR - CHILD LABOR PRESENT BUT NOT PERVASIVE REF: DHAKA 00584 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Recent Embassy visits to shrimp processing factories in southwestern and southeastern Bangladesh revealed cases of child labor in a handful of factories. Econoff and Econ Specialist visited nine shrimp processing factories in Bangladesh's Khulna region, four in Cox's Bazaar, and five in Chittagong. Our assessment is that the shrimp processing industry is aware of prohibitions against the use of child labor and is generally free of child labor. Some factories, however, continue to employ child workers through contractors. Overall, shrimp industry groups are working with the Government of Bangladesh to eradicate child labor in shrimp processing. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) In an April 23 report (The True Cost of Shrimp) on the shrimp industry in Bangladesh and Thailand the American Center for International Labor Solidarity (ACILS, also known as the Solidarity Center) alleged widespread use of child labor and other labor abuses in Bangladesh's shrimp processing sector. Government officials and industry representatives have told us privately abuses occurred in the past but said steps were being taken to eradicate child labor from shrimp processing. Publicly, government and industry have denied the charges made in the April 23 report, which largely restates claims made in the 2007 Generalized System of Preferences petition filed by the AFL-CIO with the US Trade Representative. UNANNOUNCED VISITS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Econoff and Econ Specialist conducted unannounced visits at nine factories in Bangladesh's Khulna region in May to assess labor conditions, particularly use of child labor in the shrimp sector. Seven of the nine factories visited are located in Khulna's main shrimp processing quarter known as Char Rupsha, a densely concentrated area of factories located 30 minutes from Khulna city. At the first factory, six or seven boys who appeared to be under age 14 carried cardboard and paper bundles to and from a print shop that produced shrimp packaging. A group of women removing shrimp heads sat on a factory floor away from the bulk of the processing, while young children played or slept beside them. One or two slightly older girls appeared to be casually assisting their mothers. Adolescent girls (between 14 and 18) appeared to be part of this female working group. (NOTE: per local law, workers under age 14 are considered child labor, while those 14-18 are adolescent and able to do non-hazardous work. The informal and agricultural sectors are exempted from the labor law.) ¶4. (SBU) In the main factory area at least two children worked in a processing line. The floor manager tried to block Econoff's efforts to photograph one boy at work. The floor manager instructed the boy to move to a different room. Later, the floor manager quietly told the LES that "When foreigners visit, it causes problems for these kids." (COMMENT: Presumably this means they have to hide, or are fired.) We observed three to four children working in the processing line, and about a dozen apparently adolescent workers elsewhere in the factory. Along a narrow street outside the factory at least two groups of boys who said they worked as day laborers were moving ice and shrimp. At first shying away from the camera, they later gathered around to see their pictures on the digital screen. ¶5. (SBU) At one of the largest factories there was a delay at the gate before officials allowed in Embassy staff. Factory officials then made Econoff and Econ Specialist wait several minutes in an empty office. When we explained the purpose of our call, the factory manager said there was a problem and began a variety of delay tactics. Eventually Econ Specialist spoke with the factory owner, who claimed angrily that non-governmental organizations were targeting him and had photographed children outside his gate, falsely identifying them as workers in his factory. Eventually officials allowed us to tour the factory. We observed no children. DHAKA 00000618 002 OF 004 In a meeting with factory workers later, they claimed that while we were delayed child workers were rounded up and hidden. ¶6. (SBU) We observed no child labor at the other six Khulna factories visited. Several of the factories were transparent and welcoming; one gate featured a hand-made sign in the local language stating no one under age 18 should apply for work. Nearly all the factories had clean bathrooms, gender segregated changing areas, hand-washing stations with chlorinated water, and foot bath systems at entry and exit points. Most workers wore lab-coats, boots, and many wore gloves and/or face masks. Some workers (mostly those working in the walk-in freezers) were equipped with warm parkas. Laboratories appeared to be present at most facilities as well. The general standards of cleanliness within the formal sector seemed quite high. Econoff confirmed the Solidarity Center's finding that some informal processing (in unhygienic facilities) is also occurring in the vicinity of the factories, although producers claimed it was export rejected shrimp, designated for the domestic market. WORKERS LIVE WITH HARSH REALITIES -------------- -------------- ¶7. (SBU) ACILS organized a group of approximately 30 workers (men, women and children) to meet with Embassy staff at the ACILS' Khulna office. Among the group, 14 were under age 14, and six were between the ages of 14 and 18. The workers said they had taken vacation time to attend the meeting. ACILS provided each worker some compensation for coming to the meeting. Some appeared to have been coached as to what to say. Seven workers between the ages of 8 and 12 credibly claimed to have worked in shrimp processing factories: they named two labor contractors who had arranged for them to work in four factories. Two child workers said they worked at the factories where we directly observed children at work. Adult workers at this meeting complained of 12-hour work days for which managers only allow them to claim eight hours worked. SHRIMP PROCESSING PATTERNS CONSISTENT NATION-WIDE -------------- -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The Solidarity Center report was based entirely on data collected from the Khulna shrimp processing factories. For a more comprehensive perspective, the Embassy conducted additional surveys in the south-east beach town of Cox's Bazaar, and the industrial port city of Chittagong. In each location, only one factory was observed to have apparent child workers. ¶9. (SBU) Econoff visited four shrimp processing factories on the outskirts of Cox's Bazaar town. Two child laborers were directly observed at one factory immediately on entering the factory gate. After a delay of 15 minutes (during which we observed the children being shooed away) Econoff was giving a limited tour. (COMMENT: We believe child workers were removed to a separate part of the factory to which we were not given access. END COMMENT.) The other three factory owners were wary but welcoming; all expressed a clear understanding of the laws against child labor. Noting the presence of a worker complaint box, Econoff asked about complaints received; the factory claimed the only complaint related to leaking gum boots. They characterized their industry as suffering from limited supplies of shrimp, pointing to one factory that had shut down recently. ¶10. (SBU) Econoff visited five shrimp processing factories in Chittagong. Due to supply limits, one had refocused on whitefish processing for export to the Middle-East. Another factory (newly expanded) was in the process of becoming operational. Emboff observed child workers at one large factory. The site manager claimed that one child (wearing gum boots, and appearing to be a worker) was there to deliver rice to her mother. When a group of three or four apparently young workers were observed running out of a room, the manager lamely explained they were running because they had to use the toilet. DHAKA 00000618 003 OF 004 NETTING OF SHRIMP LARVAE FROM THE SEA, SHRIMP FARMING, AND HATCHERIES -------------- -------------- ¶11. (SBU) At the Cox's Bazaar beach, dozens of fishermen dotted the beach collecting shrimp larvae directly from the sea with fine mesh nets set in the surf. Through the moon-lit night and into the morning, teams of men, youths and children huddled over plastic buckets with flashlights sorting shrimp larvae from buckets of concentrated microfauna. By isolating thousands of larvae, a worker can earn as much as 300 hundred taka a night (about $4). The children admitted they would rather go to school, but their elders pointed out that they had to eat. Those who supported younger family members attending school questioned the utility of education, if the only way for their siblings to earn in the future would be collecting shrimp larvae. This pattern of child work in the informal sector is not covered under Bangladesh's labor laws; the use of fine mesh nets is, however, illegal for environmental reasons (but rarely enforced). The practice of fine mesh netting for shrimp larvae has also been observed in the Sundarbans protected forest area. ¶12. (SBU) Embassy representatives also visited the Shatkira region near Khulna, a hub for freshwater shrimp farming. An adult farm worker said that at the pond where he was employed the farm owner's children and other local children may assist during the busy periods which is legal under Bangladesh's laws. At a small shrimp hatchery (21 tanks) small shrimp larvae are grown in brine water to a size that they can be sold to shrimp farmers for transfer to freshwater ponds. Econoff saw six young men ranging in age from about 18 to 30 who ran the operations. The workers monitored the chemical composition of each tank and prepared a special protein shake for the shrimp. This work appeared technically sophisticated, and the men claimed there was no scope for child worker involvement. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION WORRIED -------------- ¶13. (SBU) In meetings with the Embassy, Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA) officials voiced concern about the ACILS report, which they described as inaccurate and claimed had resulted in queries from international buyers. They highlighted the importance of the industry as a source of employment, particularly for women, and as a source of revenue for aquaculture farmers in the impoverished Khulna region. Acknowledging past problems with child labor in shrimp processing factories, they claimed to be taking steps to eliminate child labor that the ACILS report ignored. COMMENT -------------- ¶14. (SBU) Our surveys of the shrimp processing industry in Bangladesh indicate that claims of child labor in the shrimp processing factories have some basis but that child labor is not a pervasive characteristic in the industry. The Government of Bangladesh is making efforts on the shrimp sector with renewed intensity. On May 15-16, a delegation led by the Commerce and Fisheries and Livestock Secretaries visited Khulna to conduct inspections and outreach. They were accompanied by an EU diplomat, and the ACILS director for Bangladesh (who reports that hardly any workers were seen by the delegation.) On May 17, the USAID country director addressed a seminar on improving the shrimp sector. On May 19, DRL DAS Barks-Ruggles, the Ambassador and USAID Mission Director Rollins attended an informal lunch hosted by the Commerce Advisor for candid discussions on the shrimp sector (REFTEL). ¶15. (SBU) We are informed (by the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington) that the GOB has initiated case actions against four shrimp processing companies in Khulna. The Embassy will follow up for more information. Bangladesh's Shrimp Foundation told the Embassy that a DHAKA 00000618 004 OF 004 delegation from the GOB and shrimp industry associations will be visiting Washington in mid-June to meet USG officials and buyers groups to present their plans to improve the sector. MORIARTY