ILO Country Program Holds Child Labor Conference

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000447

DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA AND DRL
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PHUM PGOV SOCI KWMN SCUL NG
SUBJECT: ILO Country Program Holds Child Labor Conference


1. (U) Summary: On June 11-12, Embassy Political Officer and
Political Specialist traveled to Zinder (approximately 550 miles
east of Niamey),Niger's second largest city, to attend a conference
celebrating June 12 World Day Against Child Labor. The two-day
conference, organized by the International Labor Organization
International Program for the Elimination of Child Labor (ILO/IPEC),
aimed to raise awareness on the issues Niger faces in combating the
worst forms of child labor. End Summary.

Conference Raises Awareness on Forms of Child Labor
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2. (U) The World Day Against Child Labor conference was sponsored
by the Government of Niger (GON) Ministry of Labor (MOL),UNICEF,
World Vision, Save the Children, and the Federation of Employers'
Organizations (known by its French acronym FOP). The event brought
together local council members, traditional chiefs, religious
leaders, labor unions, employers, educators, community leaders as
well as members of the development community and government
officials to discuss the current climate in Niger. Several
children, rescued from deplorable work situations in Niger, were
included in the conference.


3. (U) The Zinder Regional Government Secretary General highlighted
in his remarks the importance of this event. The opening ceremony
was followed by a two-hour symposium, which underscored the
continuing challenges that Niger faces and included a presentation
focused on the tenants of ILO Convention 182 that concerns the
interdiction of the worst forms of child labor. Three documentary
films were shown - one relating to ILO Convention 182 and two others
focused on children working in sectors such as gold mining, farming,
slaughterhouse activities, in addition to begging in regions of
Niger. The films included footage on children used by prostitution
rings and children who handle exposed poultry, undoubtedly exposing
themselves to health risks. Dounama Abdou, MOL Director of Labor and
Social Security, also head of the MOL Child Labor Division closed
the symposium by stating: "Education and fighting the worst forms of
child labor is a tedious task that requires time and patience. It is
like planting a date tree. It takes several years to grow and
maintain, but when it starts yielding fruit, that will be for a long
time."

Vocational School Sporting Events
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4. (U) After the symposium, Embassy officers were given a tour of a
vocational school that was built to provide training to children in
Niger who have been rescued from harmful working conditions. The
center offers courses on computer technology, construction, fabric
design, auto mechanics, and metal work. These are all skills sets
that will aid the graduates' competitiveness in Niger's job market.
The school officials inquired about the possibility of U.S.
Government financial for material support, such as the provision of
computers, internet access, a generator, tool boxes and/or
micro-financing for graduating students to start their own
business.


5. (U) Following the visit to the vocational school, Embassy
officers attended two World Day Against Child Labor sporting events,
children participating in basketball and volleyball matches.

Comment
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6. (U) The two day conference had a low turnout, possibly the result
of both the current political situation in Niger and the beginning
of the farming season that may have prevented some participants from
rural areas from attending the session. Heavy rain forced the
cancellation of some planned performances, but overall the event was
a relative success. End Comment.


7. Minimized considered.

Allen