Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10LIBREVILLE37
2010-01-25 12:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Libreville
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  ELAB EIND ETRD KTIP KCRM PHUM SOCI AID GB 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLC #0037 0251241
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 251241Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1642
INFO RUEAWJC/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
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

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