Tanzania Production of Goods Using Child Labor

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000079 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT AF/E FOR JLIDDLE; DRL/ILCSR FOR MMITTELHAUSER; G/TIP FOR SSTEINER FOR DOL/ILAB: RRIGBY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI KTIP TZ SUBJECT: Tanzania Production of Goods Using Child Labor REF: A. STATE 1730 ¶B. DAR ES SALAAM 61 ¶1. (U) This cable responds to request in ref a. ¶2. (U) The use of young girls for forced domestic labor is the greatest child labor problem in Tanzania. The problem of children involved in family agriculture and fishing endeavors - which may contribute to the larger economy -persist, but there is no evidence to suggest that in Tanzania commercial producers of cloves, coffee, gold, Nile perch, sisal, tanzanite, tea, or tobacco actively use child labor (see ref b). ¶2. (U) The U.S.-based NGO Winrock International has observed a growing level of awareness nationally that child labor is illegal. Winrock reported in its annual report that large-scale farms rarely use child labor, and employers are well aware of the 2004 labor laws that criminalize child labor. According to the Director of the Good Hope Project, which rescues children from the Tanzanite mines, the mining companies support the project's work and refer children to it. Good Hope sees the biggest challenge as parents and youths involved in small-scale mining who prefer to seek immediate riches over the long term benefits of education. ¶3. (U) The level of awareness about child labor is high, stemming from the efforts of the GOT and partner NGOs working in the most vulnerable regions across the country. The GOT recognizes that a strong educational system is key to preventing child labor. During President Bush's 2008 visit to Tanzania, President Jakaya Kikwete noted strengthening the educational system as one of his key objectives. ANDRE