Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RABAT214
2009-03-18 09:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
2008 WESTERN SAHARA UPDATE OF THE WORST
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRB #0214 0770937 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 180937Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9803 INFO RHEHNSC/NCS WASHDC RUEATRS/TREASURY DEPT WASHDC RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 1630 RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 3197 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1124 RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 4536
UNCLAS RABAT 000214
SIPDIS
LABOR FOR DOL/ILAB LEYLA STROTKAMP
STATE ALSO FOR DRL/ILCSR MARK MITTELHAUSER,
DRL/NESCA, G/TIP STEVE STEINER, NEA/RA, NEA/MAG,
NEA/ENA, AND G/IWI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB EIND EAID PHUM SOCI KWMN MO
SUBJECT: 2008 WESTERN SAHARA UPDATE OF THE WORST
FORMS OF CHILD LABOR
REF: A. STATE 21472
B: CASABLANCA 12
C: RABAT 172
UNCLAS RABAT 000214
SIPDIS
LABOR FOR DOL/ILAB LEYLA STROTKAMP
STATE ALSO FOR DRL/ILCSR MARK MITTELHAUSER,
DRL/NESCA, G/TIP STEVE STEINER, NEA/RA, NEA/MAG,
NEA/ENA, AND G/IWI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB EIND EAID PHUM SOCI KWMN MO
SUBJECT: 2008 WESTERN SAHARA UPDATE OF THE WORST
FORMS OF CHILD LABOR
REF: A. STATE 21472
B: CASABLANCA 12
C: RABAT 172
1. This message provides requested updates for the
Department of Labor's annual report on the Worst
Forms of Child Labor in the Western Sahara. (Ref A)
The sovereignty of the Western Sahara is disputed
between the Government of Morocco and the Polisario,
an Algerian-backed organization seeking
independence. The GOM maintains control over a
significant portion of the Western Sahara from the
coastal areas inward. The GOM considers the
Western Sahara to be an integral part of its
national territory and applies the same laws and
administrative procedures that exist in the rest of
the country. Post has submitted a report detailing
the overall situation of forced labor and child
labor in Morocco (Ref B).
2. Economic activity in the Western Sahara is
limited to phosphate mining, pastoral nomadism, and
fishing. There is very limited industrial activity.
Emboffs visit the region frequently and Post is not
aware of any significant instances of forced labor
or child labor in the Western Sahara. Traditional
Sahrawi practices of domestic slavery were
eliminated many years ago. The only reports we have
heard of about slavery stem from allegations that
the practice continues in Polisario-controlled
refugee camps. Child and labor issues are also
addressed in the Western Sahara Chapter of the
annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
(Ref C).
3. This message was prepared by Consulate
Casablanca Laboff Matthew Lehrfeld, and represents
coordinated Mission views. Further inquiries should
be directed to Consulate Casablanca, info Rabat.
JACKSON
SIPDIS
LABOR FOR DOL/ILAB LEYLA STROTKAMP
STATE ALSO FOR DRL/ILCSR MARK MITTELHAUSER,
DRL/NESCA, G/TIP STEVE STEINER, NEA/RA, NEA/MAG,
NEA/ENA, AND G/IWI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB EIND EAID PHUM SOCI KWMN MO
SUBJECT: 2008 WESTERN SAHARA UPDATE OF THE WORST
FORMS OF CHILD LABOR
REF: A. STATE 21472
B: CASABLANCA 12
C: RABAT 172
1. This message provides requested updates for the
Department of Labor's annual report on the Worst
Forms of Child Labor in the Western Sahara. (Ref A)
The sovereignty of the Western Sahara is disputed
between the Government of Morocco and the Polisario,
an Algerian-backed organization seeking
independence. The GOM maintains control over a
significant portion of the Western Sahara from the
coastal areas inward. The GOM considers the
Western Sahara to be an integral part of its
national territory and applies the same laws and
administrative procedures that exist in the rest of
the country. Post has submitted a report detailing
the overall situation of forced labor and child
labor in Morocco (Ref B).
2. Economic activity in the Western Sahara is
limited to phosphate mining, pastoral nomadism, and
fishing. There is very limited industrial activity.
Emboffs visit the region frequently and Post is not
aware of any significant instances of forced labor
or child labor in the Western Sahara. Traditional
Sahrawi practices of domestic slavery were
eliminated many years ago. The only reports we have
heard of about slavery stem from allegations that
the practice continues in Polisario-controlled
refugee camps. Child and labor issues are also
addressed in the Western Sahara Chapter of the
annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
(Ref C).
3. This message was prepared by Consulate
Casablanca Laboff Matthew Lehrfeld, and represents
coordinated Mission views. Further inquiries should
be directed to Consulate Casablanca, info Rabat.
JACKSON