Flower Armenia
Colombia
c. Prohibition of Forced or Bonded LaborThe Constitution forbids slavery and any form of forced or bonded labor, and there were no reports of such practices in the formal sector. Paramilitaries and guerrillas practiced forced conscription (see Section 5). There were some reports that guerrillas used forced labor. The law prohibits forced or bonded labor by children; however, the Government does not have the resources to enforce this prohibition effectively (see Section 6.d.). Although there were no known instances of forced child labor in the formal economy, several thousand children were forced to serve as paramilitary or guerrilla combatants (see Sections 1.f. and 5), to work as prostitutes (see Section 5), or as coca pickers. d. Status of Child Labor Practices and Minimum Age for Employment The Cons ... [Read More]
Western Hemisphere
Although labor union-related homicides and kidnappings in 2004 were lower than in previous years, violence against labor union leaders and activists continued to be a serious problem. Through a U.S. grant, a U.S. organization provided U.S.-based training and technical education to nearly 40 Colombian trade union leaders who were under threat. The United States also funded an International Labor Organization (ILO) project designed to improve labor relations and generate quality employment for women. A second U.S. grant provided funding to the ILO's International Program for the Elimination of Child Labor. In 2004, nearly 3,000 or more children left their work in low-tech open-pit mines under an IPEC-funded pilot project. However, the project was closed at the end of fiscal year 2004. A new educational program, "Combating the Worst Forms of Child Labor through Education in Colombia," was implemented to assist at-risk youth employed in the cut flower sector in Colombia. These youth were a ... [Read More]
USIS Washington File: TEXT: ALBRIGHT BEFORE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
We fund these NIS programs neither as a favor to governments in the region nor as a stamp of approval of all their policies, but because they serve American interests. And frankly, we need to do more. These priority programs were funded well below our request last year. So I urge you to back our full request for $925 million this year. And I ask that you grant the flexibility we need to support democratic and market reforms wherever in the region they flower and whenever our support will best serve America's interests. ... [Read More]
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