The U.S. Renews its Commitment to Combating Forced Labor and the Worst Forms of Child Labor
2016 World Day Against Child Labor: Child Labor and Supply Chains
Press Statement by John Kirby
Assistant Secretary and Department Spokesperson, Bureau of Public Affairs
Washington, DC
June 12, 2016
Today, World Day Against Child Labor, we renew our commitment to promoting internationally recognized labor rights, and combating forced labor and the worst forms of child labor.The International Labor Organization estimates that more than 168 million children are engaged in child labor across a wide variety of industries. Under initiatives like the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the United States is committed to joining in the global community’s fight to end child labor in all its forms by 2025.
To achieve this goal, the United States is determined to prevent goods produced by forced labor from entering our market. The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 strengthened the prohibition on the importation of goods made, in whole or in part, with forced or indentured child labor. We will continue to work with other governments and civil society partners to promote education and foster human development to make a difference for children and their families.
- To learn more about international labor rights and the United States’ commitment to ending forced labor globally, visit: http://www.humanrights.gov/dyn/issues/labor.html
- To learn more about the Trade and Development Act of 2015, and how to report imports made with forced labor, visit: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/trade-community/programs-outreach/convict-importations
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