WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs is seeking eligible applicants under two competitive grant solicitations to implement projects that will reduce child labor in Ecuador and Panama.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the release of three revised reports on global child labor and forced labor that were prepared by the department's Bureau of International Labor Affairs. At an event to release the reports, held at U.S. Department of Labor headquarters, Secretary Solis was joined by Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa; Gayle Smith, special assistant to the president and senior director at the National Security Council; and Ian Solomon, U.S. executive director of the World Bank.

WASHINGTON — A $5 million competitive solicitation for cooperative agreements to combat child labor in Burkina Faso's cotton and artisanal gold mining sectors was announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement in recognition of Labor Rights Week, Aug. 27-31:

"This year's theme, 'Promoting Labor Rights is Everyone's Responsibility,' underscores the importance of partnerships between the Labor Department and other countries to educate migrant workers and their employers about U.S. labor laws.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today issued the following statement regarding an agreement reached by General Motors Colmotores and its current and former workers:

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs has announced a competitive solicitation for one or more cooperative agreements worth up to $10 million to combat child labor in Tanzania's agricultural production and domestic service sectors.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $10 million competitive solicitation for cooperative agreements to combat child labor in Cambodia's agriculture, fishing and fisheries/aquaculture, and domestic service sectors.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $6 million competitive solicitation for a cooperative agreement to combat child labor in the rubber-producing areas of Liberia.

Qualified applicants should focus on children who are engaged in or at risk of being involved in various forms of child labor in rubber-producing areas. Among other things, applicants must:

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a competitive solicitation for a $5 million cooperative agreement to pilot test the U.S. Department of Agriculture's guidelines to reduce child labor and forced labor in imported agricultural products.

WASHINGTON — During a ceremony today at U.S. Department of Labor headquarters in Washington, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis signed partnership agreements with ambassadors representing the embassies of Honduras, the Philippines, Peru and Ecuador.

"Migrant workers make important contributions to our economy," said Secretary Solis. "Today's agreements help ensure these workers are aware of the right to safe workplaces and to receive full payment of the wages owed to them under the laws of the United States."

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on data regarding forced labor that have been issued by the International Labor Organization:

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the election of Guy Ryder as director-general of the International Labor Organization:

"I extend my congratulations to Guy Ryder on his election as the new director-general of the International Labor Organization and wish him the greatest success in his new position. Mr. Ryder has been a great advocate of the world's working people, both as a trade union leader and in his work at the ILO.

MUSCAT, Oman — The U.S. Department of Labor and the Oman Ministry of Manpower convened the first meeting of the Subcommittee on Labor Affairs on April 24 in Muscat. Representatives at the meeting reaffirmed their commitments under the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement to recognize and protect the rights stated in the International Labor Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs has published a revised list of products that federal contractors must certify under Executive Order 13126 are not produced with forced or indentured child labor. The list appears in the April 3 issue of the Federal Register.

WASHINGTON — Documentary filmmaker Len Morris received the 2011 Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labor during a ceremony today at U.S. Department of Labor headquarters. Deputy Undersecretary of Labor for International Affairs Sandra Polaski presented the award, which honors Morris for producing and editing groundbreaking documentaries that highlight the plight of child laborers around the world.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Minister of Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge of the Republic of India today signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on future labor and employment issues.

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today met with Colombia Minister of Labor Rafael Pardo to discuss Colombia's recent achievements in protecting workers' rights and to address the challenges that remain. She highlighted the ongoing technical cooperation between the U.S. Department of Labor and Colombia's Labor Ministry, and announced the award of a $2 million grant to the International Labour Organization to develop a robust presence in Colombia.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs has awarded a $13 million cooperative agreement to nongovernmental organization Desarrollo y Autogestión to combat exploitative child labor in Peru. To implement the project, Desarrollo y Autogestión will partner with World Learning, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, and DESCO, a development organization.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs has awarded a $10 million cooperative agreement to World Vision to combat exploitative child labor in Ethiopia that will focus on child labor in rural areas and the traditional weaving industry.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs has announced a $13 million competitive solicitation for cooperative agreements to combat exploitative child labor in Peru, including supporting efforts to address poverty and promote social inclusion.