Project Title |
Prevention and Elimination of Child Labor in the Tomato-Producing Sector |
Region/Country |
THE AMERICAS/Dominican Republic |
Project Duration |
August 2000 – June 2005 |
Fiscal Year & Funding Level |
FY 2000: USD 865,412 |
Problem Addressed |
According to a study conducted by the National Planning Office of the Dominican Republic, in 1996, 56% of Dominican households were living under conditions of poverty and 19% were living in a situation of extreme poverty.
Of children aged 10 to 14 who work, 33.5% do so in the agricultural sector, including tomato cultivation. Children who work in this sector are exposed to chemical agents that cause serious health problems (skin diseases, gastrointestinal and breathing problems, and the progressive deterioration of their health due to the accumulation of these substances in their bodies). They also carry excessive weights for their age and are transported in truck trailers without any safety measures. |
Results |
The project withdrew 1,405 children and prevented 5,744 children from engaging in hazardous agricultural work in tomato production in target municipalities of Azua de Compostela, Pueblo Viejo, Sabana Yegua, and Villa Tabará Abaj in Azua Province, Dominican Republic. |
Project Objectives |
Development Objective:
To contribute to the progressive elimination of child labor in the tomato industry in the municipalities of Azua de Compostela, Pueblo Viejo, Sabana Yegua, and Villa Tabará Abajo in the Province of Azua.
Immediate Objectives:
- Ensure the withdrawal and prevention of child labor in the tomato industry in target pilot municipalities;
- Ensure that child labor monitoring systems have been set up to verify that: (i) child workers are phased out from work and provided with education and other support services; (ii) no new children are entering work in tomato production in the areas of implementation of the project; (iii) target children and families are benefiting from the project; and (iv) measurable progress is being made towards the prevention and eradication of child labor in the tomato sector in Azua de Compostela, Pueblo Viejo, Sabana Yegua, Villa Tabará Abajo; and
- Build the capacities of partner organizations in the field to ensure the sustainability of the impact of the project.
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Summary of Activities |
- Withdrew and prevented children from engaging in hazardous work in the tomato plantation by providing educational services;
- Provided alternative income support for families of children withdrawn from work;
- Strengthened the capacity of partner institutions to take action against child labor in the industry;
- Sensitized and mobilized communities, governmental and non-governmental organizations, tomato producers and processors, workers, and employers to take action against child labor; and
- Established a credible child labor monitoring and verification system.
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Grantee |
International Labor Organization’s International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor (ILO-IPEC) |
Implementing partners |
Ministries of Labor, Education, Public Health, and Agriculture; Association of Tomato Producers and Processors; HABITAT; Municipal Government of Azua; INDESUI. |
Contact Information |
Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking (OCFT)
(202) 693-4843 |
