§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the extent of child labour in Guatemala. [162607]
§ Hilary BennChild labour is a significant problem in Guatemala with estimates of the number ranging from 550,000 to 900,000. The Government of Guatemala have ratified the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, which call for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, the rehabilitation of child labourers, and the prevention of child labour. They have also pledged to create a commission to examine the requirement for new regulations and the enforcement of existing labour legislation, but they face many constraints in putting these commitments fully in to effect. DFID will continue to monitor the Government of Guatemala's progress in doing so.
The International Programme for the Elimination of Child Poverty (IPEC) programme of the ILO is active in Guatemala. The progamme focuses on child labour in eight sectors including coffee and broccoli cultivation and firework production.