KYRGYZSTAN: CHILD LABOR AND FORCED LABOR UPDATE

UNCLAS BISHKEK 000090

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN; DRL/ILCSR FOR S. MORGAN; G/TIP FOR

L. CDEBACA; DOL/ILAB FOR L. STROTKAMP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB EIND ETRD KTIP PHUM SOCI KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: CHILD LABOR AND FORCED LABOR UPDATE

REF: STATE 131995


1. (U) Summary: Child labor, primarily children working on
their families' farms, remains an issue in Kyrgyzstan.
However there is scant evidence that the worst forms of child
labor or exploitive child labor is a wide-spread problem.
The Kyrgyz Government has a legal framework that prohibits
child labor, though enforcement remains weak, and an action
program to address child labor. The International Labor
Organization has an on-going project to assist the Kyrgyz
Government on child labor issues. End summary.

Prevalence Of Child Labor
--------------


2. (U) In response to tasking 1/TVPRA (reftel),there were
no reports in 2009 that forced labor or the worst forms of
child labor were used in the production of goods in
Kyrgyzstan. No cases of forced labor in 2009 were reported.
The most recent survey of child labor in Kyrgyzstan was
published in 2008 and was conducted by the Kyrgyz National
Statistics Committee and the International Labor Organization
(ILO). According to this study almost all child laborers, 95
percent, worked on family farms and therefore did not meet
the definition of the worst forms of child labor or
exploitive child labor. The remainder of the children in the
study worked in the service sector, e.g., in markets, cafes,
etc.

Laws and Regulations
--------------


3. (U) There were no new national laws passed in 2009
regarding child labor. According to the ILO National Project
Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan, Amina Kurbanova, there were new
regulations at the municipal level in the cities of Bishkek
and Osh that allow minors who do not have complete identity
documents, e.g., birth certificates, etc., easier access to
education and health services. This will make it easier for
poor children without documents in these cities, who are most
likely to be at risk of child labor, to attend school.


4. (U) According to Kurbanova, the national laws on child
labor are generally adequate, however there still remain a
few gaps. She noted that the law should provide a more
complete list of hazardous work that is unsuitable for
minors. Kurbanova also said that the law does not include an
adequate response to parents who exploit their children on
family farms or businesses.


5. (U) The institutions and mechanisms for enforcement of
hazardous and forced child labor and the use of children in
illicit activities remain the same as in previous years. The
State Labor Inspectorate of the Ministry of Labor enforces
child labor laws, while the Ministry of Interior enforces
laws against the use of minors in illicit activity, such as
prostitution. According to Kurbanova, the funding for
enforcement of child labor issues is inadequate at both
institutions and ILO has provided them with training and
technical expertise. The State Labor Inspectorate has
approximately 60 inspectors for all labor issues, including
child labor. Post has no statistics on specific cases for

2009.

Programs to Eliminate Child Labor
--------------


6. (U) The Kyrgyz Government continued to implement the State
Program of Action of Social Partners for the Elimination of
the Worst Forms of Child Labor in the Kyrgyz Republic
(2008-2011). According to Kurbanova, as a result of this
program there has been increased awareness of the issue by
Government bodies that had not previously been involved in
child labor issues, such as the Ministry of Education.
However, the turnover of top Government official in 2009
slowed the work of this program.
GFOELLER