FRENCH OVERSEAS TERRITORIES INFORMATION FOR TRADE

UNCLAS PARIS 000010


STATE PLEASE PASS DRL/ILCSR (TU DANG)
DOL PLEASE PASS ILAB (TINA MCCARTER)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM ELAB EIND ETRD SOCI FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH OVERSEAS TERRITORIES INFORMATION FOR TRADE
AND DEVELOPMENT ACT (GSP) REPORT

REF: 08 STATE 127448


1. In post's assessment, France continued to meet
its international commitments in 2008 to eliminate
the worst forms of child labor in its overseas
territories. The following update is in response to
reftel's request for information to determine if
countries eligible for trade benefits under the
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) are meeting
their obligations to combat such practices.


2. Article L4153-1 of the French labor code
prohibits employment for individuals under 16,
including in France's overseas territories. In
addition, article 52-1322 specifies that this
prohibition extends to the territory of Wallis and
Futuna. According to our contacts in the Ministry
of the Interior, the law on child labor is respected
and enforced in all of France's overseas
territories.


3. French authorities launched no new initiatives
in 2008 to protect against the worst forms of child
labor. But an Interior Ministry official confirmed
to POLOFF December 30 that the ministry had received
no new complaints with respect to child labor
practices in French overseas territories in 2008.
In addition, we are unaware of any independent
reports of cases of child labor-related abuses in
France's overseas territories during the past year.


STAPLETON