PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago — During the XV Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor today in Port of Spain, Deputy Undersecretary of Labor for International Affairs Charlotte Ponticelli discussed how the U.S. Department of Labor is working in strategic partnerships with regional economies throughout the United States to ensure a competitive and adaptable workforce in the 21st century.

Report required under Trade and Development Act

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today released its sixth annual report on the worst forms of child labor in 141 countries and territories that receive U.S. trade benefits.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced the appointment of Charlotte M. (Charlie) Ponticelli as deputy undersecretary for international affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor's International Labor Affairs Bureau.

Previously, Ponticelli served for almost four years as the U.S. Department of State's senior coordinator for international women's issues, followed by a year as senior advisor to the assistant secretary for population, refugees and migration.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced the funding of a $4.3 million project to oversee public and private efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor in the cocoa sector.

Report Required Under the Trade and Development Act

WASHINGTON — The Labor Department today released its fifth annual report on the worst forms of child labor in 137 countries and territories that receive U.S. trade benefits.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) today expressed support for the decision by the United States Trade Representative not to accept a petition filed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 regarding workers' rights in the People's Republic of China. Deputy Secretary Steven J. Law noted significant cooperation between the U.S. and the People's Republic of China on a number of worker protection issues over the last few years, and pledged to continue to work together to build on the progress that has been made.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced today a new leadership team at the Labor Department's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB). James Carter starts this week as deputy undersecretary of labor for international labor affairs, and ILAB Chief of Staff Rob Owen has been promoted to associate deputy undersecretary for international labor affairs.

WASHINGTON — Deputy Labor Secretary Steven J. Law pointed out at a Congressional-Executive Commission on China hearing today the enormous challenges that China faces as the worlds most populous country in combating human trafficking. Law was appointed to the Commission by President George W. Bush in 2004.

Given the enormous size of Chinas population, there is an urgent need to deal with human trafficking issues now, Law said. As migration within and outside the country expands, the problem of human trafficking has the potential to escalate immensely.

Also Cites Progress Made Against This Terrible Form of Modern-Day Slavery

WASHINGTON—Speaking today at the Conference on Trafficking in Persons in North America, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao outlined the international scope of human trafficking and the Department's efforts to combat it.

The evil of trafficking in human beings must be stopped, Chao said. The worldwide incidence of men, women and children being enslaved demands a vigorous and sustained international effort to rescue victims and protect future generations.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced $18.65 million in grants to combat human trafficking around the world. The overall amount includes $3.75 million awarded to three non-government organizations to implement anti-trafficking projects in Brazil, Cambodia, Moldova, and Sierra Leone, and $14.9 million to combat trafficking of children for exploitative labor in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced a $9 million grant to the International Labor Organization (ILO) to implement workplace-based HIV/AIDS programs around the world.

In addition to being a serious health issue, HIV/AIDS is also an economic issue, said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. Because the rate of infection is highest among the working-age population, this disease has a significant impact on the worldwide labor force.

Grants Fund Education Programs in Africa and Latin America To Help Child Labor Victims

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced the award of $23 million in grants to World Vision and Catholic Relief Services for education programs in Africa and Latin America. The Labor Department awarded these grants under its Child Labor Education Initiative through a competitive bidding process.

WASHINGTON—To emphasize the United States commitment to eliminating the worst forms of child labor, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao noted today that in FY 2004 the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) provided over $110 million in grants to remove young workers from abusive work situations and improve access to quality basic education in areas with a high incidence of exploitive child labor.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao praised the efforts of an international assembly of 500 children and world leaders who are meeting in Florence, Italy at the Children’s World Congress to find better ways to combat the worst forms of child labor.

Report Specified Under the Trade and Development Act

WASHINGTON—The Labor Department today released its third annual report on the worst forms of child labor in 144 countries and territories that receive U.S. trade benefits.

International Women’s Day and Week Highlight Administration’s Efforts to Improve Social and Economic Opportunities

NEW DELHI, India—The Department of Labor (DOL), the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the government of India today launched a $40 million project to combat exploitive and hazardous child labor in India.

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor’s National Administrative Office (NAO) today agreed to review allegations that the government of Mexico failed to enforce its law protecting the rights of workers at two garment factories located in Mexico.

“Effective enforcement of labor laws is fundamental to the labor principles to which the U.S., Canada and Mexico are committed under the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation,” said NAO Acting Director Lewis Karesh. “To this end, the Labor Department intends to conduct a thorough review.”

Report Compares Spending by Governments and International Financial Institutions on Basic Education and Child Labor Efforts in 73 Developing Countries

Chao Announces $2 Million Grant to Improve Working Conditions for Ugandan Laborers suffering from HIV/AIDS

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao has announced a $2 million grant to fund a workplace education program in Uganda to help combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. The grantees, World Vision and RTI International, will work to provide information about the disease while improving the work environment for laborers with HIV/AIDS. This project is part of the department’s HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Program.