2020 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor: Colombia

 
Significant Advancement

In 2020, Colombia made significant advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. In early 2021, the government issued a decree that granted a 10-year Temporary Protective Status to the 1.7 million Venezuelans living in Colombia, providing them access to formal work, healthcare, and education for children. The Ministry of Labor conducted trainings for new and veteran inspectors and the Colombian Institute for Family Well-Being coordinated the "Pact for Growth and Employment Generation in Agro-Industrial Sugarcane," a public-private roundtable that addresses the protection of child rights, including preventing child labor. The Inter-Agency Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons also completed its evaluation of the 2018 national action plan and launched the new National Strategy for the Fight Against Trafficking in Persons (2020–2024). Furthermore, the government launched a new program, "Generación Sacúdete," which worked with 28,096 children and adolescents in 898 municipalities across 31 departments to help develop life goals. However, children in Colombia are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation and illicit activities, each sometimes as a result of human trafficking. The government does not employ a sufficient number of labor inspectors. Research also indicates that existing social programs are insufficient to address the scope of the worst forms of child labor in Colombia.

I. Prevalence and Sectoral Distribution of Child Labor

Children in Colombia are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation and illicit activities, each sometimes as a result of human trafficking. (1,2) The government publishes annual statistics on children’s work from its National Household Survey, based on research conducted in the fourth quarter of every year. (3-5) Table 1 provides key indicators on children’s work and education in Colombia.

Table 1. Statistics on Children's Work and Education

Children

Age

Percent

Working (% and population)

5 to 14

2.5 (210,431)

Working children by sector

5 to 14

 

Agriculture

 

47.3

Industry

 

16.7

Services

 

36

Attending School (%)

5 to 14

93.7

Combining Work and School (%)

7 to 14

2.5

Primary Completion Rate (%)

 

106.8

Source for primary completion rate: Data from 2019, published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2021. (6)
Source for all other data: International Labor Organizations' analysis of statistics from Gran Encuesta Integrada de Hogares, Módulo de Trabajo Infantil (GEIH-MTI), 2019. (7)

Based on a review of available information, Table 2 provides an overview of children's work by sector and activity.

Table 2. Overview of Children's Work by Sector and Activity

Sector/Industry

Activity

Agriculture

Production of coffee, including the application of pesticides;† production of sugarcane,† cocoa, pome and stone fruits, grapes, and unrefined brown sugar (panela) (4,8-13)

 

Animal husbandry,† hunting,† and fishing,† including conch and crab harvesting (4,8,10-14)

Industry

Mining† coal, emeralds, gold, tungsten, coltan, and clay (8,10,11,15)

 

Producing bricks and wood charcoal (4,10,15)

 

Construction,† particularly of large-scale projects (4)

 

Cutting and transporting lumber,† and creating artisanal woodwork such as handicrafts and decorative items (8,11,16,17)

 

Processing shrimp and langoustines† (11)

Services

Street work,† including vending and helping shoppers carry bags in urban markets,† begging,† guarding or washing cars and motorcycles,† and selling massages and hair braiding to tourists in beach areas (2,4,8,11,18-26)

 

Recycling† and garbage scavenging† (1,8,18,27)

 

Domestic work,† including caring for children,† cooking, gardening, and shopping for the home (4,8-11,28)

 

Working in retail establishments, hotels, and restaurants (3,4,8,10,11)

Categorical Worst Forms of Child Labor‡

Commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking (8,11,29-32)

 

Use in the production of pornography (4,8,11,12,23,33)

 

Recruitment of children by non-state armed groups for use in armed conflict (4,32,34)

 

Use in illicit activities by illegal armed groups and criminal organizations to commit homicides, traffic drugs, and forced begging; and in the production of marijuana and coca (stimulant plant), each sometimes as a result of human trafficking (4,32,34,35)

† Determined by national law or regulation as hazardous and, as such, relevant to Article 3(d) of ILO C. 182.
‡ Child labor understood as the worst forms of child labor per se under Article 3(a)–(c) of ILO C. 182.

Reports indicate that the forced recruitment and use of minors in Colombia by illegal armed groups, including Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia dissidents, the National Liberation Army, and non-ideological criminal organizations such as the Gulf Clan, continued in 2020. (4,11,34) The government reported at least 83 cases of children forcibly recruited into armed groups in 2020, with most cases occurring in rural areas and in the departments of Caquetá, Cauca, Putumayo, Antioquia, and Arauca. Security forces also rescued at least 495 children from armed groups. (4) Children are typically recruited by armed groups to perform intelligence and logistical activities, store and transport weapons, and are exploited in commercial sex. (8,23,32,34)

Commercial sexual exploitation of children occurs more often in private homes rented online than in commercial establishments. (11) Children are particularly vulnerable in areas with foreign tourism, in mining communities, and in areas with large construction projects. (4) Some child victims of commercial sexual exploitation are allegedly recruited in schools by other students and, in some cases, prostitution ring members conduct surveillance around schools in search of girls. (4,11,31) Indigenous women and children and Venezuelans and their children, are particularly vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced begging, and recruitment by armed groups. (31-33) Young girls suffer commercial sexual exploitation along the highway between Medellín and Bogotá. (11,29) In mining areas, trafficking of children for forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation is widespread. (8,11,23,36)

Reports indicate that armed groups and criminal gangs recruit Colombian and Venezuelan children as young as age 12 to produce and traffic drugs and commit homicides and extortion. (4,35,37,38)

Although basic education is free and compulsory for all children up to age 18, in practice children in rural parts of the country face barriers to accessing education due to lack of infrastructure and teachers as well as violence. (4) The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on access to education. Official figures indicate 158,000 students had left the public education system through October due to the pandemic, but civil society organizations suggest the figure is higher. (4,5) Despite these challenges, the government reported that as of October 2020, there were 363,126 Venezuelan children that matriculated in Colombia's education system, up from 206,138 children in October 2019. (4,5) The Ministry of Labor (MOL) reported unemployment and informal work increased as a result of the pandemic and economic fallout. According to government statistics, unemployment reached a peak of 21.4 percent in May and poverty rose to 42.5 percent in 2020. (4,5) These economic challenges increased the risk of labor trafficking, including forced begging, and commercial sexual exploitation for adults and children in Colombia, including for vulnerable populations such as Venezuelan migrants. (4,5,32)

II. Legal Framework for Child Labor

Colombia has ratified all key international conventions concerning child labor (Table 3).

Table 3. Ratification of International Conventions on Child Labor

Convention

Ratification

ILO C. 138, Minimum Age

ILO C. 182, Worst Forms of Child Labor

UN CRC

UN CRC Optional Protocol on Armed Conflict

UN CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography

Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons

The government has established laws and regulations related to child labor (Table 4). However, gaps exist in Colombia's legal framework to adequately protect children from the worst forms of child labor, including the difference in the minimum age for work and the compulsory education age.

Table 4. Laws and Regulations on Child Labor

Standard

Meets International Standards

Age

Legislation

Minimum Age for Work

Yes

15

Article 35 of the Code on Childhood and Adolescence (39)

Minimum Age for Hazardous Work

Yes

18

Article 117 of the Code on Childhood and Adolescence (39)

Identification of Hazardous Occupations or Activities Prohibited for Children

Yes

 

Article 3 of Resolution 1796 (40)

Prohibition of Forced Labor

Yes

 

Article 17 of the Constitution; Articles 141 and 188A of the Penal Code (41,42)

Prohibition of Child Trafficking

Yes

 

Article 17 of the Constitution; Articles 188A–188C of the Penal Code (41,42)

Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

Yes

 

Articles 213–219B of the Penal Code (42)

Prohibition of Using Children in Illicit Activities

Yes

 

Articles 162, 188D, and 384 of the Penal Code (42)

Minimum Age for Voluntary State Military Recruitment

Yes

18

Article 81 of Law 1861 (43)

Prohibition of Compulsory Recruitment of Children by (State) Military

Yes

 

Article 4 of Law 1861 (43)

Prohibition of Military Recruitment by Non-state Armed Groups

Yes

 

Article 162 of the Penal Code; Article 20 of Law 1098; Article 14 of Law 418 (39,42,44)

Compulsory Education Age

Yes

18

Decree 4807 of 2011 (45)

Free Public Education

Yes

 

Articles 2.3.1.6.4.1 and 2.3.1.6.4.2 of Decree 1075; Article 1 of Decree 4807; Article 28 of the Child and Adolescent Code (39,45,46)

In March 2021, the Colombian Government issued Decree 216, which granted a 10-year Temporary Protective Status (TPS) to more than 1.7 million Venezuelans living in Colombia. The TPS will allow authorities to identify Venezuelans with irregular status in a national biometric registry and grant them formal access to work, healthcare, banking, and education for children. (5,47,48)

As the minimum age for work is lower than the compulsory education age, children may be encouraged to leave school before the completion of compulsory education.

III. Enforcement of Laws on Child Labor

The government has established institutional mechanisms for the enforcement of laws and regulations on child labor (Table 5). However, gaps exist within the operations of enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate enforcement of child labor laws.

Table 5. Agencies Responsible for Child Labor Law Enforcement

Organization/Agency

Role

Ministry of Labor's (MOL) Inspection, Monitoring, Control, and Territorial Management Department

Receives complaints of labor law violations and conducts labor inspections, including inspections to verify labor conditions for adolescent workers and compliance with other child labor provisions. Oversees the Internal Working Group on Child Labor Eradication. (11,49) Also operates the Comprehensive Child Labor Information System, a child labor monitoring system that identifies children engaged in or at risk of child labor. (11) Collects fines for labor violations assessed after January 1, 2020, and administers proceeds through a fund designated to strengthen the labor inspectorate. (4,5)

Active Search Team for Trafficking in Persons, Sexual Exploitation of Children, Girls, and Adolescents and Related Crimes (Bogotá)

Uses a proactive investigation model to identify crimes related to human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children, including girls, in Bogotá instead of waiting for victims to seek attention at the national level. Created in 2018 by the Bogotá Mayor's office. (23,50)

National Police

Investigate cases of commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking and house the Child Protection Police unit. (11) Judicial police and the Technical Investigation Corps support the Attorney General's Office throughout the investigation process. (11)

Attorney General's Office

Investigates and prosecutes cases of child recruitment for use in armed conflict and illicit activities, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking, with support from the Office's Technical Investigation Unit, which also advises the Attorney General in the design of policies and strategies related to the role of judicial police investigators. (8,11,39) Also oversees the Articulation Group for Combating Trafficking in Persons, which includes prosecutors, analysts, and judicial police engaged in combating organized crime and human trafficking. (51)

Labor Law Enforcement

In 2020, labor law enforcement agencies in Colombia took actions to combat child labor (Table 6). However, gaps exist within the operations of the MOL that may hinder adequate labor law enforcement, including resource allocation.

Table 6. Labor Law Enforcement Efforts Related to Child Labor

Overview of Labor Law Enforcement

2019

2020

Labor Inspectorate Funding

$2,200,000 (11)

$875,000 (4)

Number of Labor Inspectors

791 (11)

845 (4)

Inspectorate Authorized to Assess Penalties

Yes (53)

Yes (53)

Initial Training for New Labor Inspectors

Yes (11)

Yes (4)

Training on New Laws Related to Child Labor

N/A (11)

N/A

Refresher Courses Provided

Yes (11)

Yes (4)

Number of Labor Inspections Conducted

Unknown (11)

Unknown (4)

Number Conducted at Worksite

Unknown (11)

Unknown (4)

Number of Child Labor Violations Found

Unknown (11)

Unknown (4)

Number of Child Labor Violations for Which Penalties Were Imposed

12 (11)

Unknown (4)

Number of Child Labor Penalties Imposed that Were Collected

Unknown (11)

Unknown (4)

Routine Inspections Conducted

Yes (11)

Unknown (4)

Routine Inspections Targeted

Yes (11)

Unknown (4)

Unannounced Inspections Permitted

Yes (53)

Yes (53)

Unannounced Inspections Conducted

Yes (11)

Unknown (4)

Complaint Mechanism Exists

Yes (11)

Yes (4)

Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Labor Authorities and Social Services

Yes (11)

Yes (4)

As a result of the pandemic, MOL issued Resolutions 0784 and 0876 in March and April 2020, respectively, which temporarily suspended certain activities that required physical contact such as field-based inspections and hearings of labor conflicts. (4,5,54,55) The resolutions also suspended the labor inspectorate's review and adjudication of labor complaints, including those for violations not directly related to the pandemic. (4,5) Although these restrictions ended in September, the government did not provide information on the number of worksite inspections, violations identified, or penalties applied outside of this suspension for inclusion in this report. (4) These pandemic-related suspensions affected the labor inspectorate's 2020 budget, which was partially dependent on fine collection. (56)

Nonetheless, MOL used virtual capabilities during the pandemic to carry out 7,624 virtual labor inspections and to conduct trainings for new and veteran inspectors, including training 107 new inspectors on a "Fundamental Rights at Work" course that included several modules on child labor. (4)

Reports indicate that resource allocation for labor law enforcement in rural areas, such as Amazonas and Vichada, is insufficient. (4,57) In some cases, inspectors carry out inspections in a small geographic area due to a lack of transportation to reach areas accessible only by boats or small planes. (1) In addition, the number of labor inspectors is likely insufficient for the size of Colombia's workforce, which includes more than 22 million workers. According to the ILO’s technical advice of a ratio approaching 1 inspector for every 15,000 workers in industrializing economies, Colombia would employ about 1,645 inspectors. (5,9,58)

Criminal Law Enforcement

In 2020, criminal law enforcement agencies in Colombia took actions to combat child labor (Table 7). However, gaps exist within the operations of enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate criminal law enforcement, including training for new employees and funding.

Table 7. Criminal Law Enforcement Efforts Related to Child Labor

Overview of Criminal Law Enforcement

2019

2020

Initial Training for New Criminal Investigators

No (11)

Unknown (4)

Training on New Laws Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor

N/A (11)

N/A

Refresher Courses Provided

No (11)

Yes (4)

Number of Investigations

2,883 (11)

2,568 (4)

Number of Violations Found

3,512 (11)

2,124 (4)

Number of Prosecutions Initiated

764 (11)

71 (4)

Number of Convictions

378 (57)

229 (59)

Imposed Penalties for Violations Related to The Worst Forms of Child Labor

Yes (57)

Yes (59)

Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Criminal Authorities and Social Services

Yes (11)

Yes (4)

In 2020, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) reported that out of the criminal cases investigated pertaining to the worst forms of child labor, 11 percent were related to the use of children in illicit activities, 40 percent to the use of children in pornography, and the remaining were related to forced recruitment, commercial sexual exploitation, and human trafficking. Of the 71 individuals charged, 35 percent were charged for the use of children in illicit activities. (4) During the reporting period, 421 criminal investigators were trained on concepts related to the worst forms of child labor, 75 were trained on identifying human trafficking, and another 206 were trained on investigating and prosecuting human trafficking crimes. (4) To better address human trafficking crimes, the AGO led five inter-governmental trainings on trafficking identification for 5,431 government employees and 459 AGO investigators. The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) also conducted mock trials as an educational tool for those involved in prosecuting such crimes. (32)

Although the government took action on crimes related to the commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking of children and collected data on these crimes, the AGO reported that its case management system tracks criminal proceedings through conviction only and does not include information on sentencing. (4,11,60,61) In addition, although the AGO maintains some information on emblematic criminal cases regarding trafficking in persons, including those involving children, it does not maintain or publish comprehensive, annual statistics on convictions and sentencing for cases involving the worst forms of child labor. (4,62)

Civil society has noted a lack of specific budget allocations by government institutions for addressing trafficking in persons. (23)

IV. Coordination of Government Efforts on Child Labor

The government has established mechanisms to coordinate its efforts to address child labor (Table 8). However, gaps exist that hinder the effective coordination of efforts to address child labor, including the inconsistent coordination in human trafficking victim identification.

Table 8. Key Mechanisms to Coordinate Government Efforts on Child Labor

Coordinating Body

Role & Description

Inter-Agency Committee for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Protection of the Adolescent Worker (CIETI)

Coordinates efforts to combat the worst forms of child labor as specified in Article 3(d) of ILO Convention 182. (4) Chaired by MOL, includes 13 government agencies and representatives from trade unions, business associations, and civil society organizations. Oversees department-level CIETIs throughout the country, each comprising municipal-level committees. (9,63) In 2020, 28 department-level CIETIs participated in virtual trainings and workshops on the National Policy Guidelines to Prevent and Eradicate Child Labor. Local CIETIs also worked with the Mobile Teams for Comprehensive Protection (EMPIs) to give technical assistance across 417 municipalities. (4)

National Inter-Agency Committee for the Prevention and Eradication of Child Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Coordinates and implements efforts to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Led by MOL and comprises 15 government agencies. In 2020, the committee carried out various activities under the National Strategy for the Prevention and Eradication of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. (9)

Colombian Institute for Family Well-Being (ICBF)

Operates Mobile Teams for Comprehensive Protection Against Child Labor to coordinate government actions to protect children's rights, including protection from child labor. Supports demobilized child soldiers by strengthening family networks and increasing access to health services, food, education, and shelter. (11,16) Serves as Administrator of the Fund Against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents. (64) Processes child labor complaints, operates telephone hotlines to report child labor cases, and provides social services to children engaged in or at risk of child labor. (8,11) ICBF is the lead agency among those comprising the National System of Family Well-Being, which promotes inter-agency coordination to protect children's rights, including those related to child labor, and designs, implements, monitors, and evaluates policies related to childhood and adolescence. (5,9,65) During the reporting period, ICBF provided capacity-building assistance to various local CIETIs focusing on child labor prevention and offered trafficking in persons-related trainings to regional officials. ICBF also coordinated the "Pact for Growth and Employment Generation in Agro-Industrial Sugarcane*," a public-private roundtable that addresses the protection of child rights, including preventing child labor. (4)

Inter-agency Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons

Leads and coordinates efforts among government agencies to combat human trafficking. Created by Law 985, chaired by the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), and comprises 16 government entities and six permanent invitees, including private sector and international organizations. (1) In 2020, the committee completed its evaluation of the 2018 national action plan on trafficking in persons and launched the new National Strategy for the Fight Against Trafficking in Persons (2020–2024), which included consultations with stakeholders in civil society, academia, and the international community. The committee also conducted 100 trafficking in persons-related trainings with government officials, including sessions to develop national action plans, and promoted the "Zero Complicity" anti-trafficking in persons campaign. (4)

Inter-Sectorial Commission for the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Children by Illegal Armed Groups (CIPRUNNA)

Guides, coordinates, and monitors the actions carried out by state entities at both the national and territorial level to prevent violations of children and adolescents' rights, with a fundamental focus on protection from child recruitment by illegal armed groups, including for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation. (4,66) Led by the Presidency's Office for Human Rights and International Affairs, comprises 22 entities, including AGO and MOL as permanent members. (4,11,66-68) In 2020, adopted an action plan to implement the National Policy for the Prevention of Recruitment, Use, and Sexual Violence Against Children and Adolescents by Illegal Armed Groups or Organized Criminal Groups. The action plan prioritizes 200 municipalities based on level of risk to children of recruitment by armed groups. (4)

‡ The government has other coordinating mechanisms that may have addressed child labor issues or had an impact on child labor. (69-72)
* Mechanism to coordinate efforts to address child labor was created during the reporting period.

In 2020, MOI's Anti-Trafficking Team achieved a longstanding goal of constructing action plans to combat human trafficking in all 32 departments. The Team also created a specific Caribbean-focused action plan to fight child sex tourism and enacted new human trafficking victim protection and assistance procedures in 13 departments. (32)

Research indicates there is inconsistent coordination in the areas of human trafficking victim identification and assistance, which may hinder anti-trafficking efforts. (23)

V. Government Policies on Child Labor

The government has established policies that are consistent with relevant international standards on child labor (Table 9).

Table 9. Key Policies Related to Child Labor

Policy

Description

National Policy Guidelines to Prevent and Eradicate Child Labor and Protect the Adolescent Worker (2017–2027)

Aims to address child labor in the agriculture sector, develop child labor prevention strategies, improve the quality and coverage of child protection services, protect adolescent workers from hazardous work, create strategies to address child labor in domestic work, and establish evaluation and monitoring mechanisms to assess progress. (73) The policy also contains a Roadmap for the Prevention and Elimination of Child Labor in Mining and a cooperative agreement between the Ministry of Mining and Energy and ICBF to prevent child labor in mining. (74,75) As part of the implementation of the policy, MOL updated the Comprehensive Child Labor Information System (SIRITI) in 2020 by adding a mechanism through which the public can anonymously report child labor cases. Following its review and updating of SIRITI cases, MOL reported that, as of December, the system registered 13,791 cases of children in or at risk of child labor. (4)

National Policy on Childhood and Adolescence (2018–2022)

Articulates multiple sub-policies on the worst forms of child labor, protection of adolescents, prevention and eradication of commercial sexual exploitation of children, and prevention of the recruitment and use of children by non-state armed groups. (8,76) Focuses on the comprehensive welfare and development of children and adolescents, recognizing them as rights-bearing subjects and integral to national development. (8,76) During the reporting period, ICBF continued implementation of its Strategy for the Prevention of Specific Risks, which includes goals to eliminate and prevent child labor, and released an operating manual for the strategy. (4)

National Strategy for the Prevention and Eradication of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (2018–2028)

National policy that guides Colombian Government actions at the national, departmental, and municipal levels for the prevention of commercial sexual exploitation, victim assistance, and the strengthening of sentencing for abusers. (77) As part of this national strategy, the Colombian Government maintains an "Eyes Everywhere" ("Ojos en Todas Partes") public awareness campaign, which aims to prevent child sex tourism. Led by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, and implemented in coordination with ICBF and the National Tourism Fund. (1,8,23) The "Eyes Everywhere" campaign continued throughout the reporting period with the goal of better identifying solicitors and victims of child sex tourism. (4) In commemoration of the International Day Against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, the government launched its "Protecting Them Begins with Me" campaign, under which it conducted 31 virtual trainings on preventing the exploitation of children. (4,78)

National Strategy for the Fight Against Trafficking in Persons (2020–2024)†

Aims to prevent human trafficking by focusing on providing immediate assistance to victims, promoting effective inter-agency coordination, international cooperation, and research and knowledge management. (79) Established by Decree 1818 in 2020 and led by the Inter-Agency Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons. (4) The new strategy also prioritizes migration and border-related risks, including armed conflict, violence, and sex trafficking, and emphasizes prevention among migrant populations. (4)

National Policy for the Prevention of Recruitment, Use, and Sexual Violence Against Children and Adolescents by Illegal Armed Groups or Organized Criminal Groups (2018–2028)

Directs actions to prevent the recruitment and use of children by armed groups. Aims to address violence against children, including the worst forms of child labor, and improve inter-agency coordination. (80) The government also has a Roadmap for the Restoration of Rights, Assistance, and Reparation for Children and Adolescent Victims of the Armed Conflict that establishes protocols to assist child victims of armed conflict and is implemented through inter-institutional mechanisms in various departments. (10,81) In 2020, the Presidency's Office for Human Rights and International Affairs reported that CIPRUNNA adopted an action plan to implement the National Policy for the Prevention of Recruitment, Use, and Sexual Violence Against Children and Adolescents by Illegal Armed Groups or Organized Criminal Groups. The action plan prioritizes 200 municipalities based on level of risk to children of recruitment by armed groups. (4)

† The policy was approved during the reporting period.
‡ The government had other policies that may have addressed child labor issues or had an impact on child labor. (8,82)

VI. Social Programs to Address Child Labor

In 2020, the government funded and participated in programs that include the goal of eliminating or preventing child labor (Table 10). However, gaps exist in these social programs, including the adequacy of programs to address the full scope of the problem.

Table 10. Key Social Programs to Address Child Labor

Program

Description

Campaigns Against Child Labor†

ICBF-led campaigns to increase coordination among ICBF, Child Protection Police, MOL, and municipal authorities on child labor issues, and to promote education about the risks of hazardous work. (83) In 2020, continued to use 44 mobile teams to conduct numerous child labor prevention efforts, including "active searches" for children engaged in child labor. Accompanied by Child Protection Police and other local officials, the mobile teams conducted searches in 84 municipalities, in which a total of 2,304 children were found engaged in child labor. (4) ICBF also launched a new program, "Generación Sacúdete," which worked with 28,096 children and adolescents in 898 municipalities across 31 departments to help them develop life skills. (4) In addition, ICBF implemented the new "My Hands Teach You" (Mis Manos Te Enseñan) program in response to the pandemic lockdown, supporting 1.7 million vulnerable children with education and nutritional assistance at home. (4,84)

Programs Addressing Trafficking in Persons†

Eye on Trafficking aims to increase awareness of human trafficking among high school students, and School Environments in Coexistence and Peace focuses on identifying potential human trafficking victims. (9) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' campaign, "Do Not Ignore Trafficking" (#AnteLaTrataNoSeHaga), is directed at border populations with limited access to digital platforms. (85) The "#EsoEsCuento" ("Don't be Fooled") campaign to prevent human trafficking continued in 2020, through 227 outreach events reaching 31 regions of the country. (4)

Model for Identification of Child Labor Risks

Pilot project led by ILO's Regional Initiative: Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labor. Aims to design a system that classifies territories according to their probability of risk for child labor and identifies the principal factors associated with this risk based on existing databases in participating countries. (86) Nearly every country in Latin America participates in the initiative. (87) This program continued during the reporting period. (88)

Development for Social Prosperity Programs†

More Families in Action (Más Familias en Acción) uses a conditional cash transfer program to combat poverty and build human capital; United Network (Red Unidos) coordinates actions to reduce inequality and end extreme poverty; Healthy Generations (Generaciones con Bienestar) operates a children's rights program offering cultural and recreational activities for children ages 6 to 17 identified as vulnerable to the worst forms of child labor; and Youth in Action (Jóvenes en Acción) provides technical job training and conditional cash transfers to vulnerable urban youth ages 16 to 24. (89-91) The programs continued throughout the reporting period. (4,56)

USDOL-Funded Projects

We Are a Treasure (Somos Tesoro), a $11.25 million, 7 year project to combat child labor and promote safe work in the mining sector, implemented by PACT, Inc., in partnership with the Alliance for Responsible Mining, Mi Sangre Foundation, and the Fund for Environmental Action and Childhood; Somos Tesoro ended in 2020, and celebrated 7 years of work on formalizing mining, reducing economic vulnerability, providing educational opportunities, and strengthening legislation and policies on mining. (92,93) Other projects include Preventing and Reducing Child Labor and Forced Labor in Palm Oil Supply Chains (Palma Futuro), a $6 million project implemented by Partners of the Americas that works to improve the implementation of social compliance systems that promote acceptable conditions of work and the prevention and reduction of child and forced labor in palm oil supply chains; Colombia Avanza, a $2 million Partners of the Americas project that focuses on building the capacity of civil society to more adequately combat child labor and other abuses in Colombia's coffee sector; Cooperation on Fair, Free and Equitable Employment (COFFEE), a $2 million project implemented by Verite to help businesses establish systems to prevent, detect, and eliminate child labor and other forms of exploitation from their supply chains; Building the Capacity of Civil Society to Combat Child Labor and Improve Working Conditions in Colombia (Pilares), a $2 million project implemented by PACT that strengthens the capacity of civil society organizations to detect and address child labor and working conditions in gold mining; Measurement, Awareness-Raising, and Policy Engagement (MAP16) Project on Child Labor and Forced Labor, a $2 million project implemented by the ILO that improves knowledge on these issues through data-driven techniques, strengthens polices and improves government capacity, and strengthens partnerships to accelerate progress. Continues to work with MOL on the Electronic Case Management System, virtual training campus for labor inspectors, and supporting strategic compliance planning, and strengthening fine collection; and Equal Access to Quality Jobs for Women and Girls in Agriculture (EQUAL), a $5 million project in support of the Women's Global and Prosperity Initiative implemented by PACT. (94-100) The project is aimed at reducing the risk of child labor, forced labor, and other violations of labor rights by empowering vulnerable women and girls working in the production of unrefined brown sugar (panela) and the cut flowers sector and promoting better understanding of labor rights. (100) Additional information is available on the USDOL website.

† Program is funded by the Government of Colombia.
‡ The government had other social programs that may have included the goal of eliminating or preventing child labor. (8,10,101,102)

Despite these efforts, research indicates that existing social programs are insufficient to address the scope of the worst forms of child labor problem in Colombia. (4,11)

VII. Suggested Government Actions to Eliminate Child Labor

Based on the reporting above, suggested actions are identified that would advance the elimination of child labor in Colombia (Table 11).

Table 11. Suggested Government Actions to Eliminate Child Labor

Area

Suggested Action

Year(s) Suggested

Legal Framework

Raise the minimum age for work to the age up to which education is compulsory.

2018 – 2020

Enforcement

Ensure that all labor inspectors have sufficient resources, especially in rural areas, to perform inspections.

2009 – 2020

 

Increase the number of labor inspectors to meet the ILO's technical advice.

2009 – 2020

 

Publish information on labor law enforcement efforts, including the number of inspections conducted, child labor violations found, penalties imposed and collected for child labor violations, and whether routine inspections were conducted.

2009 – 2020

 

Publish information on whether new criminal investigators receive initial training.

2018 - 2020

 

Collect and publish data on penalties and sentencing for crimes related to the worst forms of child labor.

2018 – 2020

Coordination

Ensure that government efforts on human trafficking victim identification and assistance are adequately coordinated among agencies.

2018 – 2020

Social Programs

Expand efforts to improve access to education for all children, including by improving transportation infrastructure, building more schools in rural areas, and by increasing the number of teachers.

2013 – 2020

 

Expand social programs to sufficiently address the scope of the worst forms of child labor.

2020

References
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