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Technical Cooperation Project Summary

Project Title

Combating Child Labor in the Fireworks Industry of Guatemala (Phase II)

Region/Country

CENTRAL AMERICA/Guatemala

Project Duration

October 2003 – September 2005

Fiscal Year & Funding Level

FY 2003: USD 307,231

Problem to be Addressed

In 2000, a national living conditions survey reported that 20% of children ages 6 to 14 years in Guatemala were working. Many children are engaged in highly dangerous activities such as fireworks production. Children engaged in fireworks production face hazards that are detrimental to their health, safety and development. Children work long hours and are exposed to explosive chemicals such as potassium nitrate and gunpowder, which can cause skin and lung diseases and cancer. Other potential injuries faced are cuts, abrasions and burns from fires and explosions.

Results

The project withdrew 209 working children and adolescents aged 7 to 17 years, and prevented 3,837 children and adolescents aged 7 to 17 years from engaging in fireworks production, in San Juan Sacatepéquez and San Raymundo, Guatemala.

Project Objectives

Development Objective:
To contribute to the eradication and prevention of child labor in the fireworks industry in San Juan and San Raymundo, Guatemala.

Immediate Objectives:

  • Organize and mobilize communities, public institutions at the local level, and other stakeholders to eradicate and prevent child labor;
  • Integrate working and at-risk children and adolescents to stay in the educational system;
  • Moderate health risks for working children, adolescents and their families as a result of reduction in fireworks production; and
  • Provide families with income alternatives to meet their basic needs without resorting to child labor.

Summary of Activities
  • Withdrew children aged 7 to 14 years and adolescents aged 15 to 17 years from the fireworks industry;
  • Provided targeted children with education, support, and rehabilitation services, and provided targeted adolescents and parents with training and/or income generating alternatives;
  • Supported and monitored children and assisted parents;
  • Strengthened the Child Labor Monitoring System;
  • Improved the quality of education in rural schools by introducing the Active Rural School Methodology;
  • Consolidated monitoring and control systems to ensure basic safety and hygiene conditions and the absence of child labor at fireworks factories;
  • Strengthened the organization of child labor-free fireworks factories designed during the first phase of the project, and established a market for child labor-free fireworks;
  • Increased the capacity of partner organizations, community organizations/agencies, labor inspectors, local authorities, and employers and workers organizations to take action against child labor in the fireworks industry of Guatemala; and
  • Raised awareness in communities, and among factory owners and managers, workers and local authorities, to encourage action against child labor.

Grantee

International Labor Organization’s International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor (ILO-IPEC)

Implementing Partners

Ministries of Defense, Education, Health, and Labor; Head Office for Vocational and Employment Training, Ministry of Labour (DICAFORE), Departmental Development Council (CDD), Social Affaires Department of the First Lady Office (SOSEP), Guatemalan Institute of Social Security (IGSS), Integral Support Association (ASI).

Contact Information

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

(202) 693-4843