RESPONSE TO WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR INFORMATION

UNCLAS LA PAZ 000161 SIPDIS SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO DOL/ILAB TINA MCCARTER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BL EIND ELAB ETRD PHUM SOCI SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR INFORMATION REF: STATE 149662 ¶1. There has been no change in 2007 with regards to worst forms of child labor in Bolivia other than the three areas described below: ¶2. Question: How many child labor investigations have resulted in fines, penalties, or convictions? Answer: There was one case of a jail sentence handed out involving a child labor exploitation cases in Cochabamba in December 2006. ¶3. Question: Are there social programs specifically designed to prevent and withdraw children from the worst forms of child labor? Answer: The U.S. Department of Labor International Child Labor Technical Assistance program awarded Bolivia a $3.3 million dollar three year program designed to combat exploitive child labor in October 2007. Additionally, the Counsel on Trafficking in Persons under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice, in coordination with IOM, ran a public service announcement campaign informing intending immigrants about their basic rights regardless of their immigration status abroad. ¶4. Question: Does the country have a comprehensive policy aimed at the elimination of the worst forms of child labor? Answer: The Government of Bolivia has begun a cash payment program (Bono Juancito Pinto) to encourage child to attend and stay in school. Elementary students in grades 1 - 6 receive a payment of approximately $15USD at the beginning of the school year and another for the same amount at the end of the school year. GOLDBERG