INFORMATION ON FORCED LABOR AND CHILD LABOR IN THE

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000140 SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR JONATHAN MITCHELL DOL/ILAB FOR RACHEL RIGBY DRL/ILCSR FOR MARK MITTELHAUSER G/TIP FOR STEVE STEINER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI XL SUBJECT: INFORMATION ON FORCED LABOR AND CHILD LABOR IN THE PRODUCTION OF GOODS FOR MANDATORY CONGRESSIONAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS REF: 08 SECSTATE 43120 ¶1. (U) This response covers the countries of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. ¶2. (U) Incidents of the worst forms of child labor are not believed to be a problem in the countries of the Eastern Caribbean. All countries in the region have enacted comprehensive child protection laws and measures. Given rising poverty levels in the region due to the high cost of living, there may be some isolated incidents of child labor, especially among migrant communities. Our sources in the government and labor unions do not believe that there are any serious incidents of the worst forms of child labor occurring in the region. Our contacts report that they are unaware of any reports of forced labor in the production of goods. ¶3. (U) Post has passed on the Federal Register Notice (FRN) to our labor union contacts as requested reftel with a request to forward any information they may have to ILAB. HARDT