GABON: FORCED AND CHILD LABOR IN EXPORT PRODUCTS (2010)

UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000037 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C (Korte) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB EIND ETRD KTIP KCRM PHUM SOCI KTIP AID GB SUBJECT: GABON: FORCED AND CHILD LABOR IN EXPORT PRODUCTS (2010) REF: 09 STATE 131997 ¶1. Per reftel, post provides this response to questions regarding forced and child labor in the production of export products. Post's response to annual child labor reporting requirements follows in septel. Forced, child, and exploitive labor in the production of exports goods is not a significant problem in Gabon. International and non-governmental organizations, including UNICEF and the InternationalRed Cross as well as government contacts in the inistry of Labor indicate that Gabon respects intenational labor standards, especially in regards o child labor. ¶2. Data for Gabon for 2009 - 2010is not adequate to paint a complete picture of te situation surrounding forced and exploitative hild labor. Anecdotal evidence and reports from chld protection agencies indicate that opportunitis to use forced or child labor for export products are extremely limited. The primary exports of abon are oil, wood and wood products, and manganes, all of which are formal sector activities, oveseen by various government ministries. Gaboneselabor unions also indicate that there is no evidence that any of Gabon's export sectors utilize foced or child labor in the production of goods. Gaon imports more than 90 percent of its food fromoutside of its borders, which limits the possibiity of children being used to produce agricultural goods that could be exported. ¶3. There are no products at this time that Post believes should be added to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act list. REDDICK