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 -------------- -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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