US Department of Labor announces $10 million grant solicitation to address child labor and working conditions in Dominican Republic

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs is seeking eligible applicants for a $10 million cooperative agreement on a project to address child labor, labor rights and working conditions in the Dominican Republic's agricultural sector, including in sugarcane and production supply chains.

The cooperative agreement will target children, families and workers who are susceptible to child labor and exploitative working conditions. Children in the Dominican Republic work in the production of sugarcane, coffee, rice and tomatoes. This work exposes them to hazards such as pesticides, excessive sun and sharp tools.

One or more qualifying organizations will receive funding to increase basic education opportunities for children, improve livelihoods for families and agricultural workers, expand employment programs that help youths transition out of hazardous work, and protect workers' rights and children's rights to education. The project also will build the government's capacity to enforce labor laws; develop and pilot social compliance systems within agricultural companies; increase public awareness on child labor and other labor rights; share strategies and good practices; and engage in monitoring, data collection and research designed to guide future improvements under the project.

Applications must be submitted by July 12, 2013, at 5 p.m. EDT electronically via http://www.grants.gov or by hard copy to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Procurement Services, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Room S-4307, Washington, DC 20210, Attention: Brenda White and James Kinslow.

All cooperative agreement awards will be made by Sept. 30, 2013. The solicitation of cooperative agreements (SCA 13-03) is available online at http://www.dol.gov/ILAB/grants/ and http://www.grants.gov.