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.

Secretary Chao Announces International Technical Assistance Project in Serbia

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao has announced a $500,000 grant that will improve occupational safety and health in Serbia. The project is part of the department’s International Cooperation Program.

WASHINGTON—The Labor Department has issued A Chartbook of International Labor Comparisons: United States, Europe, and Asia. The book, a collaborative effort the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, is the department’s first international chartbook to compare select Asian-Pacific countries with both the U.S. and Europe.

Stresses Support for Workers to Move up Ladder of Opportunity

GENEVA, Switzerland—Secretary Elaine L. Chao highlighted U.S. programs to help child laborers—particularly child soldiers—and President George W. Bush’s commitment to people imperiled by AIDS in her remarks to the 91st session of the International Labor Conference. She pointed out that these efforts meet the challenge laid out in the International Labor Organization (ILO) Director-General’s report, Working Out of Poverty.

Secretary Recognizes Queen Rania’s Leadership in Combating Child Labor

GENEVA, Switzerland—Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao met with Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan and praised her for her leadership in the campaign to end abusive child labor. The two met in Geneva, Switzerland, where the Secretary was participating in the 91st session of the International Labor Conference.

Report Specified Under the Trade and Development Act

WASHINGTON—The Labor Department today released its second annual report on the worst forms of child labor in 146 countries and territories that receive U.S. trade benefits.

Announces $13 Million U.S. Initiative on Prevention and Rehabilitation

WASHINGTON—U.S. and foreign officials gathered here today for a two-day conference at the invitation of Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao to take action to eliminate the use of child soldiers and to rehabilitate those caught in such forced recruitment. Chao announced a $13 million initiative to support programs to counter the problem and to help former child soldiers rebuild their lives.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao released two grants today totaling $6.4 million to help worker protection and mine safety and health in China.

Deputy Secretary of Labor Cameron Findlay said, “The Administration is committed to improving workers rights globally, and we look forward to working with our partners in China to enhance the rule of law and improve compliance with internationally recognized workers’ rights and labor standards.” Findlay serves as the Department of Labor’s appointee to the joint Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC).

Project Designed to Counter Sexual Exploitation of Girls

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced today a $703,000 grant to the International Justice Mission (IJM) to conduct a program to combat child trafficking and sexual exploitation of girls in Thailand.

Project to Provide Assistance on Education and Training

Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $1.5 million grant to CARE to develop and implement educational and vocational programs to combat the worst forms of child labor in Bolivia. The project, part of the department’s Child Labor Education Initiative, will improve access to basic quality education for children working or at-risk of working.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

ILAB Press Release: Labor Secretary Announces New Funding for Program to Combat Trafficking of Children for Exploitative Labor in Africa[04/23/2001]

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

The Labor Department today announced a $1 million grant to provide training and technical education in the U.S. for Colombian trade union leaders. Unions in that country play an integral role in advancing civil society by promoting the rule of law and transparency, fostering peace, supporting economic growth and enhancing respect for human rights. Such activities are at the core of U.S. foreign policy toward Colombia.