ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES CHILD LABOR

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000088

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR JONATHAN MITCHELL
DOL/ILAB FOR TINA MCCARTHER
DRL/ILCSR FOR TU DANG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI EAID XL
SUBJECT: ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES CHILD LABOR
INFORMATION FOR TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT ACT (GSP) 2008 REPORT

REF: SECSTATE 127448


1. (U) Incidents of the worst forms of child labor are not
believed to be a problem in the countries of the Eastern
Caribbean. All the countries in the region have enacted
comprehensive child protection laws and measures. However,
given that poverty levels in the region are rising 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.


2. (U) LabOff confirmed with the Ministry of Labor, and the
labor unions that there have been no significant changes to
last year's submission. Post human rights contacts point out
that there is a growing problem of young people dropping out
of school and becoming involved in the drug trade. Some
children, including children as young as 14, may be working
in the maurijana fields common in the northern part of St
Vincent. These concerns have been echoed by opposition
political figures, but there has been no corroboration of the
claims to date.
HARDT