Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10RIGA23
2010-01-15 08:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Riga
Cable title:  

LATVIA: NO REPORTS OF CHILD/FORCED LABOR IN THE PRODUCTION

Tags:  ELAB EIND ETRD KTIP PHUM SOCI USAID LG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8721
OO RUEHIK
DE RUEHRA #0023 0150804
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 150804Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY RIGA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6220
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS RIGA 000023 

SIPDIS
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO DOL/ILAB FOR LEYLA STROTKAMP, RACHEL RIGBY AND
TINA MCCARTER
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO DRL/ILCSR FOR SARAH MORGAN AND G/TIP FOR LUIS
CDEBACA

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ELAB EIND ETRD KTIP PHUM SOCI USAID LG
SUBJECT: LATVIA: NO REPORTS OF CHILD/FORCED LABOR IN THE PRODUCTION
OF GOODS

REF: A. SECSTATE 131997

UNCLAS RIGA 000023

SIPDIS
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO DOL/ILAB FOR LEYLA STROTKAMP, RACHEL RIGBY AND
TINA MCCARTER
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO DRL/ILCSR FOR SARAH MORGAN AND G/TIP FOR LUIS
CDEBACA

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ELAB EIND ETRD KTIP PHUM SOCI USAID LG
SUBJECT: LATVIA: NO REPORTS OF CHILD/FORCED LABOR IN THE PRODUCTION
OF GOODS

REF: A. SECSTATE 131997


1. The Embassy reached out to a range of nongovernmental
organizations (Safe Home, Dardedze Center for Abused Children,
Crises Center Skalbes, Resource Center for Women Marta),the local
office of the International Organization for Migration, the State
Inspectorate for the Protection of Children's Rights, and the Labor
Department at the Ministry of Welfare to inquire if there have been
any reports of child labor or forced labor in the production of
goods. Our contacts reported no instances of child labor or forced
labor in the production of goods in Latvia.


2. The law and policies protect children from exploitation in the
workplace, including policies regarding acceptable working
conditions, and the government generally implemented these laws and
policies in practice. The law restricts employment of those under
the age of 18 by prohibiting night-shift or overtime work. The
statutory minimum age for employment is 15, although children who
are 13 or older may work in certain jobs outside of school hours
with written permission from a parent. Inspectors from the Ministry
of Welfare's State Labor Inspectorate are responsible for enforcing
the child labor laws, and they did so effectively.