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New and Noteworthy

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Please note that announcements regarding ILAB grant opportunities are also published on http://www.grants.gov.

November 26, 2012: ILAB publishes Federal Register Notice requesting comments from the public on reports on child labor and/or forced labor in foreign countries

The requested information will be reviewed for required reporting on child labor and forced labor in foreign countries. The notice requests comments on the use of child labor, forced labor, and/or forced or indentured child labor in the production of goods internationally pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 and Executive Order 13126 of 1999. The notice also requests comments on certain trade beneficiary countries’ efforts to combat exploitive child labor pursuant to the Trade and Development Act of 2000. The Department invites submissions related to any of the topics outlined in this notice. The deadline for receipt of submissions is January 15, 2013.

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October 9, 2012: ILAB Publishes its FY 2012 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications (SGA 12-17) for a Project to Strengthen Worker Organizations in Haiti and Peru

The U.S. Department of Labor's (USDOL) Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) will award up to $2.2 million for one or more cooperative agreement(s) to promote worker rights and build the capacity of worker organizations in specific export-oriented sectors of the Haitian and Peruvian Economies. The projects should propose innovative ways to provide these services in partnership with local organizations and institutions. Organizations can compete for the full amount in both countries, or the partial amount in each country. The deadline for submission of applications is November 15, 2012.

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October 9, 2012: ILAB Publishes its FY 2012 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications (SGA 12-16) for a Project to Strengthen Protection of Internationally Recognized Labor Rights in Colombia

The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) will award up to $1.5 million to one or more organizations to raise awareness of and improve workers’ ability to protect and claim their labor rights in Colombia. The project will strengthen the capacity of local organizations to educate and provide advice to workers about the scope and applicability of relevant labor and criminal laws, and when necessary, provide legal services to assist with the procedural and documentation requirements to exercise those rights. The deadline for submission of applications is November 15 2012.

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October 9, 2012: ILAB Publishes its FY 2012 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications (SGA 12-12) for a Project to Reduce Child Domestic Work by Promoting Decent Work for Domestic Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) will award up to $5 million for a technical assistance project to support efforts to reduce child domestic work by building the capacity of domestic worker organizations and promoting decent work for domestic workers in one or more countries in South Asia and/or Southeast Asia where a significant prevalence of child domestic work exists. The deadline for submission of applications is November 15 2012.

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October 9, 2012: ILAB Publishes its FY 2012 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications (SGA 12-11) for a Project to Combat Child Labor among Vulnerable Populations in Ecuador and Panama by Providing Direct Education and Livelihoods Services

In FY 2012, the U.S. Department of Labor's (USDOL) Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) will award up to $6.5 million for one or more cooperative agreement(s) to fund a technical assistance project(s) to provide improved education and livelihood services to combat child labor among vulnerable populations, including among Afro-descendant, indigenous and migrant populations in Ecuador and Panama. The project will also implement a pilot intervention in Ecuador to address the education and livelihood needs of child laborers affected by disabilities. This education and livelihood services project will complement a separate project to strengthen policy and enforcement actions to combat child labor among vulnerable populations in Ecuador and Panama.

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October 9, 2012: ILAB Publishes its FY 2012 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications (SGA 12-10) for a Project to Strengthen Policy and Enforcement to Combat Child Labor among Vulnerable Populations in Ecuador and Panama

The U.S. Department of Labor's (USDOL) Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) will award up to $3.5 million for one or more cooperative agreement(s) to strengthen policies and enforcement capacity to combat child labor among vulnerable populations in Ecuador and Panama, including among Afro-descendant, indigenous, and migrant populations. The cooperative agreement will also facilitate improved coordination among national, regional, and municipal governments in these efforts. The project will promote sharing of project experiences between the two countries and with other countries in the region on efforts to combat child labor among vulnerable populations. In Ecuador, the project will also support policies that focus on the relation between child labor and disabilities. This policy-and-enforcement-focused project will complement a separate project to provide education and livelihood services to combat child labor among vulnerable populations in Ecuador and Panama. The deadline for submission of applications is November 15, 2012.

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September 26, 2012: DOL Releases New ILAB Reports on International Child Labor and Forced Labor

DOL today released three ILAB reports on child labor and/or forced labor in foreign countries, including the tenth edition of the Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, a report that provides information on the efforts of certain U.S. trade beneficiary countries to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. This year's report introduces a new tool to assess government action to advance efforts in eliminating the worst forms of child labor, and continues to highlight the major findings related to each government's efforts as well as provide country-specific suggestions for actions that would help combat the problems each country is facing. In addition, DOL released an update to ILAB's List of Goods Produced by Child or Forced Labor, which identifies 134 goods from 74 countries that ILAB has reason to believe are produced by forced labor, child labor or both, in violation of international standards. Finally, DOL released a proposed revision to the current List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor pursuant to Executive Order 13126 of 1999, which includes 35 products from 26 countries. The proposed revision will be available for public comment beginning September 27, 2012.

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September 12, 2012: Web Chat with ILAB on FY 2012 Solicitations for Grant Applications

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs will host a web chat on Thursday, September 20 from 9:30 to at 10:30 a.m. (EST), to answer questions about the agency's fiscal year 2012 Solicitations for Grant Applications. The web-chat, which is text-only, will include a discussion (questions and answers) on the solicitations for cooperative agreement applications for the following:

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August 30, 2012: ILAB Publishes its FY 2012 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications (SGA 12-09) for a Project to Reduce Child Labor in Burkina Faso.

In FY 2012, the U.S. Department of Labor's (USDOL) Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) will award up to $5 million for one or more cooperative agreements to fund a technical assistance project(s) to support efforts to reduce child labor in geographic areas of Burkina Faso cotton farming and informal artisanal gold mining. The project will support efforts to work with government at the local, regional, and national level to improve methods for reducing child labor in both sectors. The project will support the direct delivery of services to children engaged in child labor or at risk of child labor and their households in communities dependent on cotton or gold production. The deadline for submission of applications is October 15, 2012.

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August 20, 2012: ILAB Publishes its FY 2012 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications (SGA 12-15) for a Project to Support Local Efforts to Combat Child Labor in Tanzania

In FY 2012, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) will award up to $10 million for one or more cooperative agreement(s) to fund technical assistance project(s) to reduce child labor in Tanzania through an area-based approach in geographic areas where there is a prevalence of child labor in agriculture production and domestic service. The project will work with local entities and build on existing efforts to reduce the worst forms of child labor, including programs to protect orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), increase access to education and promote economic opportunities for Tanzanian households most vulnerable to the worst forms of child labor.

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August 9, 2012: ILAB Publishes its Notices of Intent (NOIs) to Solicit Cooperative Agreement Applications for FY 2012 Funding
The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) published notices of intent to award, through competitive and merit-based processes, cooperative agreements for projects to reduce child labor in the following countries/regions/sectors:

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August 8, 2012: Web Chat with ILAB on FY 2012 Solicitations for Grant Applications
The Bureau of International Labor Affairs will host a web chat on Thursday, August 16 from 9:30 to at 10:30 a.m. (EST), to answer questions about the agency's fiscal year 2012 Solicitations for Grant Applications. The web-chat, which is text-only, will include a discussion (questions and answers) on the solicitations for cooperative agreement applications for the following:

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August 3, 2012: ILAB Publishes its FY 2012 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications (SGA 12-08) for a Project to Combat Child Labor in Cambodia

In FY 2012, t the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) will award up to $10 million for one or more cooperative agreement(s) to support efforts to reduce child labor in Cambodia with a focus on reducing social exclusion and promoting economic opportunities for the Cambodian households most vulnerable to the worst forms of child labor. The deadline for submission of applications is October 2, 2012.

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August 1, 2012: ILAB Announces a Notice of Intent to Solicit Cooperative Agreement Applications for a Project to Combat Child Labor in Cambodia

ILAB intends to award, through a competitive and merit-based process, up to $10 million for project(s) to reduce child labor in Cambodia.

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July 16, 2012: ILAB Publishes its FY 2012 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications (SGA 12-05) for a Project to Combat Child Labor in Areas of Liberian Rubber Production

In FY 2012, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (USDOL) Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) will award up to $6 million for one or more cooperative agreement(s) to fund a technical assistance project(s) to support efforts to reduce child labor in rubber growing areas of Liberia. The deadline for submission of applications is October 1, 2012.

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June 28, 2012: ILAB Publishes its FY 2012 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications (SGA 12-04) for a Partnership to Reduce Child Labor and Forced Labor in Imported Agricultural Products

ILAB will award up to $5 million for one or more cooperative agreements to qualifying organizations to pilot test specific elements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Guidelines for Eliminating Child and Forced Labor in Agricultural Supply Chains. The deadline for submission of applications is August 20, 2012.

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December 20, 2011: US Department of Labor awards $13 million to combat child labor in Peru

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November 30, 2011: US Department of Labor awards $10 million to combat child labor in Ethiopia

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November 3, 2011: ILAB issued an amendment to the FY 2011 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications (SGA 11-07)

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October 5, 2011: Interim Statement on Progress Towards the Reduction in Child Labor in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana released

The Department of Labor continues to participate in efforts to reduce the worst forms of child labor in cocoa producing areas in West Africa. Today the Interim Statement on Progress Towards the Reduction in Child Labor in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana Under the Framework of Action to Support Implementation of the Harkin-Engel Protocol was released.

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October 3, 2011: Department of Labor Issues Reports on International Child Labor and Forced Labor

Today the Department of Labor released three reports on child labor and forced labor in foreign countries. The release includes the 10th edition of the annual Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, a report mandated by the Trade and Development Act of 2000 that provides information on the efforts of certain U.S. trade beneficiary countries to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. It also includes an update to the List of Goods Produced by Child or Forced Labor, mandated by the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (TVPRA List), and a proposed revision to the List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor pursuant to Executive Order 13126 of 1999 (EO 13126 List). The proposed changes to the EO 13126 List are open for public comment through December 3rd.

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September 16, 2011: ILAB Publishes its FY 2011 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications (SGA 11-06) for a Child Labor Elimination Project in Ethiopia.

ILAB will award up to $10 million for one or more cooperative agreements to qualifying organizations to combat exploitative child labor in Ethiopia. The deadline for submission of applications is October 21, 2011.

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August 10, 2011: ILAB hosts SGA web chat on the FY 2011 Solicitations for Cooperative Agreement Applications at 10 am — 11 am EST

Please join ILAB on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 from 10 am — 11 am EST in a live Web Chat to discuss the FY 2011 Solicitations for Cooperative Agreement Applications published on July 14, 2011 to combat child labor globally. During this meeting, you will be able to submit questions about the three solicitations. Web Chat participants will also be able to see DOL's responses to questions from other potential applicants as they are posted in real time. We look forward to your participation in the Web Chat and to responding your questions.

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July 14, 2011: ILAB Publishes its FY 2011 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications (SGA 11-02) for a Global Action Program on Child Labor Issues.

ILAB will award up to $15 million for a cooperative agreement to implement a global action program to address child labor issues. The deadline for submission of applications is August 31, 2011.

July 14, 2011: ILAB Publishes its FY 2011 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications (SGA 11-03) for a Child Labor Global Evaluation and Monitoring Project.

ILAB will award up to $2.5 million for a cooperative agreement to carry out child labor evaluation and monitoring activities. The deadline for submission of applications is August 31, 2011.

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July 14, 2011: ILAB Publishes its FY 2011 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Applications (SGA 11-04) for a Child Labor Elimination Project in the Philippines.

ILAB will award up to $15 million for one or more cooperative agreements to qualifying organizations to combat exploitative child labor in sugarcane growing areas of the Philippines. The deadline for submission of applications is August 31, 2011.

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February 16, 2011: US Department of Labor presents the Iqbal Masih Award to Liberian workers’ group for efforts to combat exploitive child labor.

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December 15-29, 2010: US Department of Labor awards nearly $60 million to combat exploitive child labor

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced the award of nearly $60 million in grants by the U.S. Department of Labor in 2010 to combat exploitive child labor. The grants will offer children access to educational and training alternatives, help improve the livelihoods of their households so their parents can meet basic needs without relying on child labor, and build local capacity to scale-up and sustain efforts to eliminate exploitive child labor.

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December 15, 2010: DOL Releases New ILAB Reports on International Child Labor and Forced Labor

DOL today released three ILAB reports on child labor and/or forced labor in foreign countries, including the ninth annual Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, a report that provides information on the efforts of certain U.S. trade beneficiary countries to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. This year’s report highlights the major findings related to each government’s efforts and includes country-specific suggestions for government action to combat these problems. In addition, DOL released an update to ILAB’s List of Goods Produced by Child or Forced Labor, which identifies 128 goods from 70 countries that ILAB has reason to believe are produced by forced labor, child labor or both, in violation of international standards. Finally, DOL released a proposed revision to the current List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor pursuant to Executive Order 13126 of 1999, which includes 29 products from 21 countries. The proposed revision will be available for public comment beginning December 16th.

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September 28, 2010: U.S. Department of Labor awards nearly $59 million to eliminate exploitive child labor in 19 countries.

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September 25, 2010: Secretary Solis joined OCFT grantees and staff in viewing a Hispanic Heritage Month exhibit that includes drawings and letters produced by child beneficiaries in Latin America.

The exhibit, titled “The Colors of Hope/Los Colores de la Esperanza” includes drawings and letters produced by children removed from exploitive labor in various Latin America countries as a direct result of DOL-funded projects. DOL has invested close to $150 million on 54 projects that combat exploitive child labor in 19 countries in the Latin America and Caribbean region.

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September 16, 2010: ILAB Notice of Intent to Fund International Child Labor Elimination Projects in Fiscal Year 2010

A Federal Register Notice published today states that ILAB intends to obligate approximately $9.5 million for Egypt and $4 million for Jordan for cooperative agreements to organizations to address child labor internationally through the promotion of sustainable livelihoods and educational opportunities for children.