Skip to page content
Bureau of International Labor Affairs
Bookmark and Share
DOL Home > ILAB > Technical Cooperation Project Summary

Technical Cooperation Project Summary

Project Title

Prevention and Elimination of Child Labor in Small-Scale Mining in Colombia

ILAB Program

International Child Labor Technical Assistance

Region/Country

THE AMERICAS/Colombia

Project Duration

September 2001 – December 2004

Fiscal Year & Funding Level

FY 2001: USD 800,477

Problem to be Addressed

Child labor in the informal mining sector of Colombia is widespread. Mining activities expose children and adolescents to extreme temperatures, poor ventilation, toxic gases and materials, risk of accidents, and drowning caused by floods. There is a high incidence of illness, such as malaria, acute respiratory disease, skin rashes and scoliosis, among working children.

Results

The project withdrew and prevented 2,187 children from work in the clay, gold, emerald and coal-mining sectors of target communities in the municipalities of Sogamoso, Nemocón, Muzo and Condoto.

Project Objectives

Development Objective:
To contribute to the elimination and prevention of child labor in Colombia’s traditional mining sector.

Immediate Objectives:

  • Strengthen national capacities to formulate and implement policies, programs, and activities aimed at eliminating and preventing child labor in Colombia’s traditional mining sector;
  • Target removal of 1,647 children and prevention of 1,570 children from work in mining activities through the provision of social services and development of viable economic alternatives for the families; and
  • Legalize mines in the intervention zones and establish socio-economic models so that families are motivated and committed to remove their children from work.

Summary of Activities
  • Strengthened national capacity to fight child labor through programs, plans and activities;
  • Created and/or strengthened institutional structures;
  • Raised awareness on the hazards of child labor;
  • Designed activities to address informal traditional mining, the lack of adequate legal regulations, and weak grassroots organizations;
  • Implemented projects to withdraw and prevent boys and girls between ages 5 and 18 years from work in mines and to provide them with school support; and
  • Provided families of working children with market-oriented income earning activities.
Grantee International Labor Organization’s International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor (ILO-IPEC)

Implementing partners

MINERCOL (National Public Company Responsible for Legal Regulation and Restructuring of Mining Activity); The Ministries of Labor and Social Security, Health, Education, and Family Welfare; the Colombian Family Welfare Institute; The National Service of Learning (SENA); Employer's and Worker's organizations; The Minute of God Foundation; Christian Youth Association; and other NGOs to be determined.

Contact Information

Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking (OCFT)

(202) 693-4843