In 2020, Panama made moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The government successfully prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced its first forced child labor case, and it provided social services to 1,500 child victims and children at risk of child labor. It also established a Network of Companies Against Child Labor with the participation of the National Council of Private Enterprise and technical advice from the International Labor Organization, with the aim of creating a certification seal for products produced free of child labor. However, children in Panama are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking. Children also perform dangerous tasks in agriculture. Panamanian law allows minors under age 16 to engage in hazardous work within training facilities in violation of international standards. Moreover, the Ministry of Labor lacks the authority to collect fines for labor violations, limiting its capacity to enforce laws on the worst forms of child labor.
Children in Panama are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking. Children also perform dangerous tasks in agriculture. (1-6) Table 1 provides key indicators on children's work and education in Panama.
|
Children |
Age |
Percent |
|---|---|---|
|
Working (% and population) |
5 to 14 |
4.7 (32,858) |
|
Working children by sector |
5 to 14 |
|
|
Agriculture |
68.6 |
|
|
Industry |
5.4 |
|
|
Services |
26.0 |
|
|
Attending School (%) |
5 to 14 |
94.9 |
|
Combining Work and School (%) |
7 to 14 |
4.9 |
|
Primary Completion Rate (%) |
89.8 |
Source for primary completion rate: Data from 2017, published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2021. (7)
Source for all other data: International Labor Organization’s analysis of statistics from Encuesta de Trabajo Infantil (ETI), 2014. (8)
Based on a review of available information, Table 2 provides an overview of children's work by sector and activity.
|
Sector/Industry |
Activity |
|---|---|
|
Agriculture |
Production of beans, cereal grains, coffee, corn, melons, oilseeds, onions, pineapples, rice, and tomatoes (3,4,9-17) |
|
Raising livestock, including cattle (2,4,9,18) |
|
|
Fishing,† including harvesting shellfish (2,4,17-20) |
|
|
Industry |
Construction,† including mixing cement, painting, carpentry, and welding (1,2,19) |
|
Services |
Domestic work† (2,4,16,18,19,21-23) |
|
Bagging in supermarkets (9) |
|
|
Street work,† including vending,† washing cars, shining shoes,† and collecting recyclables (1,4,9,15,17-19,24-27) |
|
|
Categorical Worst Forms of Child Labor‡ |
Forced domestic work (6,23) |
|
Use in the production of pornography (4,17,19) |
|
|
Commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking (3,6,17,19,23) |
|
|
Scavenging the ocean for metal and other items (9) |
† 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.
Children in Panama are subjected to commercial sexual exploitation, mainly in tourist areas in Panama City and in beach communities. (9)
According to the results of Panama’s 2016 survey on child labor, the highest prevalence of child labor is in the agricultural sector in rural areas and autonomous indigenous areas, or comarcas. The comarca Ngäbe Buglé and the provinces of Panama and Bocas del Toro had the highest number of children engaged in child labor. (2)
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education moved all learning to a remote model beginning in March. (17) This created new barriers for accessing education, such as lack of internet and access to electronic devices, leading to an increase in inequality in education. The government reports that there are 46,000 students who did not engage in studies after the closure of schools in March 2020. (17) The Inter‐American Development Bank estimates that educational exclusion will increase in Panama by 19 percent due to the closure of schools. (17)
Although the Panamanian Constitution recognizes the right to education without discrimination, indigenous children and those in rural and Afro-Panamanian communities face barriers to accessing education due to a lack of transportation, infrastructure, technology, and teachers, particularly in the comarcas. (1,4,17,19,28,29) Children of indigenous descent often travel significant distances to reach school and experience frequent interruptions in their education due to family migration to work in agriculture. (9,28,29) Indigenous children have very low school enrollment rates. (30) Panamanian law requires that schools integrate children with disabilities, but most public schools do not have adequate facilities for them. (31)
Panama has ratified all key international conventions concerning child labor (Table 3).
|
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 Panama's legal framework to adequately protect children from the worst forms of child labor, including hazardous work and light work.
|
Standard |
Meets International Standards |
Age |
Legislation |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Minimum Age for Work |
Yes |
14 |
Article 70 of the Constitution; Articles 508–509 and 716 of the Family Code; Articles 117, 119, and 123 of the Labor Code (32-34) |
|
Minimum Age for Hazardous Work |
No |
18 |
Article 510 of the Family Code; Article 203 of the Penal Code; Article 4 of Executive Decree No. 19 of 2006; Article 118 of the Labor Code (22,32-36) |
|
Identification of Hazardous Occupations or Activities Prohibited for Children |
Yes |
Articles 2, 2A, and 2B of Executive Decree No. 19 of 2006; Article 118 of the Labor Code (22,34,36) |
|
|
Prohibition of Forced Labor |
Yes |
Articles 157–158, 205–208, and 456 of the Penal Code; Article 489 of the Family Code; Article 21 of the Constitution (32,33,35-37) |
|
|
Prohibition of Child Trafficking |
Yes |
Articles 205–208 and 456 of the Penal Code; Article 489.17 of the Family Code; Article 63 of Law 79 on Human Trafficking (33,35,37) |
|
|
Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children |
Yes |
Articles 179–187, 189–191, 202–203, 207, and 456 of the Penal Code; Article 63 of Law 79 on Human Trafficking (35,37) |
|
|
Prohibition of Using Children in Illicit Activities |
Yes |
Articles 318, 333, and 336 of the Penal Code; Article 489.16 of the Family Code; Article 2.16 of Executive Decree No. 19 of 2006 (33,35,36) |
|
|
Minimum Age for Voluntary State Military Recruitment |
N/A† |
||
|
Prohibition of Compulsory Recruitment of Children by (State) Military |
N/A† |
||
|
Prohibition of Military Recruitment by Non-state Armed Groups |
Yes |
Article 448 of the Penal Code (35) |
|
|
Compulsory Education Age |
Yes |
15 |
Articles 34 and 45 of the Law on Education; Article 489 of the Family Code; Article 95 of the Constitution (32,33,38,39) |
|
Free Public Education |
Yes |
Articles 34 and 41 of the Law on Education; Article 95 of the Constitution (32,38,39) |
† No standing military (32)
Currently, Panamanian law has a list of hazardous occupations prohibited for children under age 18, but it permits children to perform such work in training programs starting at age 14, in violation of international standards. (22)
Although the Constitution, Family Code, and Labor Code set the minimum age for employment at age 14, the Family Code and Labor Code specify exceptions for agricultural work. (32-34) Article 119 of the Labor Code allows children ages 12 to 15 to perform light work in agriculture if the work is outside of regular school hours. The Labor Code, however, does not define the kinds of activities children may perform as light work. (34) In addition, the minimum age for work is lower than the compulsory education age, which may encourage children to leave school before the completion of compulsory education.
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 their child labor laws.
|
Organization/Agency |
Role |
|---|---|
|
Ministry of Labor (MITRADEL) |
Enforces child labor laws through two directorates with direct authority over child labor matters: the Directorate Against Child Labor and for the Protection of Adolescent Workers (DIRETIPAT), and the Labor Inspection Directorate. DIRETIPAT is responsible for overseeing the enforcement of laws related to working children in the formal and informal sectors, planning and executing public policies, and carrying out education programs on child labor for employers, parents, and children. (23,40,41) DIRETIPAT also manages the newly established Direct Government Action Program that seeks to prevent and eradicate child labor. Refers cases of children found in exploitative work to the Child and Adolescent Courts, or to the National Secretariat for Childhood, Adolescence, and Family (SENNIAF). (23) The Labor Inspection Directorate enforces the Labor Code in areas in which children may be working, particularly in the formal sector. (23) |
|
Attorney General's Office |
Investigates and prosecutes crimes of sexual exploitation. Investigations are initiated by the Judicial Investigative Directorate, after which cases are passed to the prosecutors. (23) |
|
National Secretariat of Childhood, Adolescence, and Family (SENNIAF) |
Conducts inspections to identify children and adolescents engaged in child labor, particularly in the informal sector. (23,42) Monitors and coordinates a network of government services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. (43) Runs shelters for victims of human trafficking, including minors. (44) |
|
Childhood and Adolescence Police |
Assists, collaborates with, and coordinates with authorities and organizations to address the education, prevention, protection, and rehabilitation of children, including those in child labor. (45,46) It is a special body of the National Police. |
Labor Law Enforcement
In 2020, labor law enforcement agencies in Panama took actions to combat child labor (Table 6). However, gaps exist within the authority of the Ministry of Labor (MITRADEL) that may hinder adequate labor law enforcement, including allocating sufficient financial resources.
|
Overview of Labor Law Enforcement |
2019 |
2020 |
|---|---|---|
|
Labor Inspectorate Funding |
$1,313,417 (23) |
$1,307,476 (17) |
|
Number of Labor Inspectors |
100 (23) |
93 (17) |
|
Inspectorate Authorized to Assess Penalties |
Yes (34) |
Yes (34) |
|
Initial Training for New Labor Inspectors |
Yes (23) |
Yes (17) |
|
Training on New Laws Related to Child Labor |
Yes (23) |
N/A (17) |
|
Refresher Courses Provided |
Yes (23) |
Yes (17) |
|
Number of Labor Inspections Conducted |
14,439 (47) |
10,374 (47) |
|
Number Conducted at Worksite |
14,439 (47) |
10,374 (47) |
|
Number of Child Labor Violations Found |
10 (23) |
2 (17) |
|
Number of Child Labor Violations for Which Penalties Were Imposed |
10 (23) |
2 (17) |
|
Number of Child Labor Penalties Imposed that Were Collected |
Unknown (23) |
2 (17) |
|
Routine Inspections Conducted |
Yes (23) |
Yes (17) |
|
Routine Inspections Targeted |
Yes (23) |
Yes (17) |
|
Unannounced Inspections Permitted |
Yes (34) |
Yes (34) |
|
Unannounced Inspections Conducted |
Yes (23) |
Yes (17) |
|
Complaint Mechanism Exists |
Yes (23) |
Yes (17) |
|
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Labor Authorities and Social Services |
Unknown (23) |
Yes (17) |
In 2020, the government carried out a total of 10,374 inspections, 877 of which were child labor specific inspections, compared to 1,542 child labor specific inspections in 2019. (47) During 2020, the emphasis of inspections was redirected toward enforcing health and safety workplace rules developed to address the pandemic. This resulted in a 43 percent decrease in the number of inspections with a child labor focus when compared to 2019. (17,47) During the reporting period, the Directorate Against Child Labor and for the Protection of Adolescent Workers (DIRETIPAT) requested that the Judicial Secretary of the General Directorate of Labor sanction two companies for non-compliance of child labor laws. According to DIRETIPAT, in 2020 the General Directorate of Labor issued two penalties for two violations, for a total of $4,600, of which they collected $3,100. (17)
DIRETIPAT reported that in patrols and inspections done together with the National Secretariat for Childhood, Adolescence, and Family and the National Commission for the Prevention of Crimes of Sexual Exploitation, it identified 88 children and adolescents working illegally, without corresponding permits, or in industries considered dangerous for adolescents. In addition, DIRETIPAT reported that, together with the NGO Casa Esperanza, it identified 1,500 children and adolescents to benefit from scholarships and medical follow-ups to prevent child labor, although it is unclear whether any of these children were identified through labor inspections. (17) These children will receive care and services, scholarships, and academic follow-up for 3 consecutive years from the Direct Action Program for the Prevention and Eradication of Child Labor and Casa Esperanza. (17)
Due to emphasis on decrees and health rules to control the spread of COVID‐19, the government did not provide training to labor inspectors on child labor or hazardous child labor laws in 2020. (17) Of the 93 labor inspectors employed by the government, only 4 received specialized training in child labor investigations, even though all inspectors must investigate and enforce child labor laws. (17) MITRADEL and the National Secretariat for Childhood, Adolescence, and Family operate a secure 311 Complaint Line, a website, and social media platforms to receive complaints. In 2020, MITRADEL also set up two WhatsApp phone number lines to file labor complaints. (17)
The budget for DIRETIPAT is insufficient to meet its staffing needs. DIRETIPAT indicated a need for additional funding to increase the number of labor inspectors nationally, and for unspecified tools to carry out their work. (17,28,48,49) The overall number of labor inspectors decreased in 2020 compared with 2019. (17) In 2020, Panama had 93 labor inspectors, which is likely insufficient for the size of Panama's workforce, which includes more than 1.6 million workers. According to the ILO's technical advice of a ratio approaching 1 inspector for every 15,000 workers in industrializing economies, Panama would employ about 109 labor inspectors. (50)
Criminal Law Enforcement
In 2020, criminal law enforcement agencies in Panama took actions to combat child labor (Table 7). However, the government did not provide sufficient data on its criminal enforcement efforts, which limits the ability to assess their efforts.
|
Overview of Criminal Law Enforcement |
2019 |
2020 |
|---|---|---|
|
Initial Training for New Criminal Investigators |
Unknown (23) |
Yes (17) |
|
Training on New Laws Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor |
Unknown (23) |
N/A (17) |
|
Refresher Courses Provided |
Unknown (23) |
Yes (17) |
|
Number of Investigations |
Unknown (23) |
Unknown (17) |
|
Number of Violations Found |
Unknown (23) |
Unknown (17) |
|
Number of Prosecutions Initiated |
Unknown (23) |
Unknown (17) |
|
Number of Convictions |
Unknown (23) |
Unknown (17) |
|
Imposed Penalties for Violations Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor |
Unknown (23) |
Unknown (17) |
|
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Criminal Authorities and Social Services |
Yes (51) |
Yes (17) |
The government did not provide information on its criminal law enforcement efforts for inclusion in this report.
In September 2020, a Panamanian court sentenced a perpetrator of forced child domestic labor to 80 months' imprisonment and 3 years' disqualification from engaging in public functions, such as voting or running in elections and holding positions of public trust. The accused was convicted of “trafficking in persons in the form of labor exploitation” in the province of Coclé. (17,52) The victim was awarded $2,000 in compensation. This was the first successful prosecution of a child labor case in Panama, setting an important legal precedent in the country. (17,52)
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 coordination among agencies.
|
Coordinating Body |
Role & Description |
|---|---|
|
Committee for the Eradication of Child Labor and the Protection of Adolescent Workers (CETIPPAT) |
Coordinates various efforts to combat child labor. Led by the First Lady of Panama and includes MITRADEL, the ministries of Education, Health, and Agriculture, and representatives from civil society and organizations of workers and employers. (49) Conducts a National Child Labor Survey every 2 years. (9) It is a public‐private institution that includes government, employers, workers, and NGOs that collaborate to combat child labor. (23) In 2020, it established the “Network of Companies Against Child Labor” with the participation of the National Council of Private Enterprise and with technical advice from the ILO, with the aim of creating a certification seal for “products free of child labor.” (17) |
|
Subcommittee to Combat Child Labor |
Coordinates the Panamanian Institute for Sports and the Ministry of Education in their efforts to address child labor and its causes. Subcommittee of CETIPPAT. (28,53) Research was unable to determine whether the Subcommittee to Combat Child Labor was active during the reporting period. |
|
Provincial Coordination Mechanisms |
Identify and report cases of child labor at the local level to SENNIAF and coordinate with CETIPPAT at the national level. Established in Bocas del Toro, Colón, and Darién. Additional commissions were established in Chiriquí, Veraguas, Herrera, Los Santos, Coclé, and Panama Oeste. (1,4) Research was unable to determine whether the Provincial Coordination Mechanisms were active during the reporting period. |
|
National Commission for the Prevention of Crimes of Sexual Exploitation (CONAPREDES) |
Coordinates, advises, studies, and implements public policies for the prevention and eradication of sexual exploitation. (49) Members include the Attorney General and the ministries of Labor, Education, Social Development, and Health. Refers cases of sexual exploitation to the Attorney General's Office. (49) In 2020, using virtual platforms, it developed programs to raise awareness, sensitize, and update teaching staff, lawyers, prosecutors, representatives, psychologists, social workers, caregivers, police for children and adolescents, judicial and administrative officials of the judicial body, technicians from different professions, and parents of families and students. Trained a total of 24,485 people during the reporting period. (17) |
MITRADEL noted the need for increased coordination on efforts to address child labor, including within the ministry and with social service agencies and referral mechanisms. (28)
The government has established policies related to child labor (Table 9). However, policy gaps exist that hinder efforts to address child labor, including implementation.
|
Policy |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Direct Government Action Program for the Prevention and Eradication of Child Labor |
A MITRADEL initiative implemented through the Institute for Training and Utilization of Human Resources that provides a network of social and economic services to child workers and children at risk of child labor. Services include the provision of food and scholarships, support for sports activities, and social monitoring. (17) Replaced the Roadmap Towards the Elimination of Child Labor (2016–2019) during the reporting period. In 2020, under this policy MITRADEL designed and prepared to carry out a survey on child labor planned for October 2021, and continued to train inspectors. (17) The government also conducted 354 unannounced inspections of workplaces focused on child labor, referred 1,500 victims or at‐risk children to social services, and identified 88 minors working in violation of the law. (17) |
|
National Multisectoral Strategy for the Prevention of Violence Against Children and Adolescents (2018–2022) |
Aims to eliminate child labor and end the mistreatment, exploitation, trafficking, violence, and torture of children. Developed by the national government through the National Intersectoral Committee for the Prevention of Violence Against Children and Adolescents and SENNIAF, with technical support from UNICEF. (57,58) Research was unable to determine whether activities were taken to implement this strategy during the reporting period. |
|
National Action Plan for the Prevention and Elimination of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents |
Seeks to prevent and eliminate the commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents, including by providing services to victims, strengthening CONAPREDES, and raising awareness. Implemented by CONAPREDES, with support from the Public Ministry. (49,59) In 2020, CONAPREDES and the Wellbeing Planet Foundation signed a cooperation agreement to provide tools to assess post‐traumatic stress and to offer comprehensive training to officials of CONAPREDES. (17) |
|
National Plan Against Trafficking in Persons (2012–2022) |
Combats human trafficking through prevention, victim assistance, and international cooperation. Includes provisions to protect child victims of human trafficking. (48,60) In 2020, an investigative coordination initiative between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, the Panamanian National Police, and the Panama Attorney General’s Office conducted training on an online child protection system that targets individuals downloading and distributing child exploitation material within peer‐to‐peer networks on the Internet. (17) |
|
Districts Free of Child Labor |
Establishes cooperation agreements between MITRADEL and municipal councils to design and implement child labor eradication strategies. (4) Includes policies related to development and education projects that support poverty reduction. In 2020, under the guidance of this policy, two new regional coordinating committees were established in the provinces of Colón and Darién. These commissions report child labor issues to SENNIAF. (17) |
The Coordination Agreement on Labor Migration between the Ministries of Labor of Costa Rica and Panama aims to strengthen dialogue on labor migration between the two countries, with an emphasis on indigenous Panamanian migrant workers, to ensure social protection of migrant workers and their families. The policy includes a bilateral technical committee to promote joint action to combat human trafficking, exchange information, and develop cooperative strategies and projects. (61) Although potentially a useful policy tool to combat child labor, child labor elimination and prevention strategies do not appear to have been integrated into this policy.
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 their ability to reach the most vulnerable populations.
|
Program |
Description |
|---|---|
|
SENNIAF programs to identify, remove, and provide services to children engaged in the worst forms of child labor and commercial sexual exploitation† |
Prevention and Eradication of Child Labor identifies children engaged in the worst forms of child labor, removes them from exploitative situations, and connects them to a network of social and economic services offered by the government. Maintains a case processing system to efficiently manage reports and help reduce report processing times. (1) Prevention and Care for Child and Adolescent Victims of Sexual Violence identifies children engaged in commercial sexual exploitation, removes them from exploitative situations, and provides them with social services. Conducts training workshops nationwide for professionals providing direct care to child and adolescent victims of sexual violence. (62) Research was unable to identify specific actions undertaken during the reporting period under these programs. |
|
Network of Opportunities† |
Ministry of Social Development program that provides conditional cash transfers to families in extreme poverty, conditioned on their children's participation in health and education services and the acquisition of a birth certificate. Offers training to project participants to improve income-generating opportunities. (63) Research was unable to identify specific actions undertaken during the reporting period under this program. |
|
El Plan Colmena |
Social program launched in 2019 in districts located in Capira, Ciri de Los Sotos, Ciri Grande, Angela Chirú, El Cacao, La Trinidad, Ollas Arriba, and Santa Rosa. Seeks to identify the root causes of poverty and implement long‐term local capacity building programs that achieve a poverty‐free Panama. (23) In 2020, with the assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, a pilot program called “Study without Hunger” began offering lunches in schools; this was prompted by a survey on food habits and trainings for educators on eating habits. When the pandemic began and schools closed, the food in this program was transferred to the “Panama Solidario” program, which provides food to communities in need, in the hope that it would still reach students and their families. (17) |
† Program is funded by the Government of Panama.
Although the Government of Panama has expanded programs that reach children in rural areas and from indigenous and Afro-Panamanian communities, reports indicate that the scope of these programs is insufficient, and these children remain vulnerable to the worst forms of child labor. (64,65)
Despite policy efforts, the National Anti-Trafficking Commission acknowledges that funding for and availability of services for human trafficking victims remains insufficient to address the full scope of the problem. Furthermore, although victims of child trafficking are able to receive services from local NGOs, Panama lacks programs to specifically address the needs of this population. (5) Government officials have also noted that despite funds dedicated to the prevention of crimes against children, Panama lacks a specific mechanism to direct funds toward child sexual abuse victims. (66,67)
Based on the reporting above, suggested actions are identified that would advance the elimination of child labor in Panama (Table 11).
|
Area |
Suggested Action |
Year(s) Suggested |
|---|---|---|
|
Legal Framework |
Establish regulations that define the types of activities that children between ages 12 and 14 can undertake as light work. |
2009 – 2020 |
|
Ensure that the law protects children from hazardous work by establishing a minimum age of 18 for all children or by ensuring that children receive adequate training in the type of work being done and that the health, safety, and morals of children are protected in accordance with international standards if children age 16 or 17 are allowed to perform hazardous work. |
2013 – 2020 |
|
|
Raise the working age from 14 to 15, the compulsory education age, to comply with international standards. |
2019 – 2020 |
|
|
Enforcement |
Collect and make available complete data on labor law enforcement efforts and criminal enforcement efforts related to the worst forms of child labor, such as the number of violations found, number of prosecutions initiated, penalties collected, whether reciprocal mechanisms exist, and number of convictions. |
2018 – 2020 |
|
Allocate sufficient funding for the Directorate Against Child Labor and for the Protection of Adolescent Workers to meet its commitments for coordination, implementation, and monitoring related to child labor. |
2014 – 2020 |
|
|
Ensure that all inspectors receive regular, specialized training on child labor issues. |
2018 – 2020 |
|
|
Increase the number of labor inspectors to meet the ILO's technical advice. |
2020 |
|
|
Coordination |
Ensure all coordinating bodies are able to carry out their intended mandates. |
2020 |
|
Increase coordination on efforts to address child labor, including within the Ministry of Labor, and with social services agencies and referral mechanisms. |
2016 – 2020 |
|
|
Government Policies |
Take steps to implement the National Multisectoral Strategy for the Prevention of Violence Against Children and Adolescents, and publish information about these efforts. |
2020 |
|
Integrate child labor elimination and prevention strategies into the Coordination Agreement on Labor Migration between the Ministries of Labor of Costa Rica and Panama. |
2015 – 2020 |
|
|
Social Programs |
Enhance efforts to eliminate barriers and make education accessible for all children, including children from rural areas and indigenous and Afro-Panamanian communities, by expanding existing programs, including school transportation. |
2014 – 2020 |
|
Ensure that social programs to prevent and eradicate child labor are being implemented. |
2018 – 2020 |
|
|
Establish programs and ensure sufficient funding to address the needs of human trafficking victims, including programs that provide services to child victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse. |
2018 – 2020 |
- U.S. Embassy- Panama City. Reporting. February 11, 2019.
- República de Panamá-Contraloría General de la República- Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censo. Comentarios de la Encuesta de Trabajo Infantil (ETI) 2016. 2017.
https://www.contraloria.gob.pa/INEC/archivos/P8031Comentarios.pdf - UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Periodic Reports of States Parties due in 2016: Panama. Prepared by Government of Panama - Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Article 44 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 2016.
http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CRC/C/PAN/5-6&Lang=en - U.S. Embassy- Panama City. Reporting. March 1, 2018.
- U.S. Embassy- Panama City. Reporting. March 1, 2019.
- U.S. Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report- 2020 Panama. Washington, DC, June 25, 2020.
https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-trafficking-in-persons-report/panama/ - UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, both sexes (%). Accessed March 3, 2021 For more information, please see "Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions" in the Reference Materials section of this report.
http://data.uis.unesco.org/. - ILO. Analysis of Child Economic Activity and School Attendance Statistics from National Household or Child Labor Surveys. Original data from Encuesta de Trabajo Infantil (ETI), 2014. Analysis received March 2021. Please see "Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions" in the Reference Materials section of this report.
- U.S. Embassy- Panama City. Reporting. January 26, 2016.
- Lorenzo, O. Trabajadores recolectores de café están en huelga. La Estrella, January 22, 2016.
https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/160122/cafe-huelga-trabajadores-recolectores - UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Romper el ciclo de la pobreza para alcanzar el desarrollo sostenible. Press Release, March 3, 2016.
http://www.fao.org/panama/noticias/detail-events/en/c/387485/ - Nunez, O. Realizan captaciones en fincas cafetaleras de Boquete para erradicar el trabajo. Telemetro.com, January 21, 2016.
https://www.telemetro.com/nacionales/2016/01/21/realizan-captaciones-cafetaleras-erradicar-infantil/1489345.html - MITRADEL. Mitradel Detecta 5 Menores Trabajando en Cultivo de Sandía en Veraguas, MITRADEL. Accessed April 19, 2016. Source on file.
- MITRADEL. En la Provincia de Cocle MITRADEL Realiza Operativos de Trabajo Infantil, MITRADEL. Accessed April 19, 2016. Source on file.
- El Siglo. Trabajo infantil a galope. June 14, 2016.
http://elsiglo.com.pa/panama/trabajo-infantil-galope/23945570 - Pinilla, Ana Maria. Hasta 26 mil menores sufren explotación laboral en Panamá. La Estrella de Panama, February 7, 2017.
https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/170207/26-mil-sufren-menores - U.S. Embassy- Panama City. Reporting. January 22, 2021.
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https://www.panamaon.com/noticias/interior/17783-mides-y-organizaciones-presentan-resultados-de-proyecto-sobre-erradicacion-del-trabajo-infantil-en-colon.html - El Siglo. 1,976 menores hacen trabajo infantil doméstico en casas ajenas. June 15, 2016.
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http://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/provincias/coordinan-operativos-para-disminuir-el-trabajo-infantil-en-colon-1015095 - MITRADEL. En el Distrito de Changuinola Funcionarios del MITRADEL Realizan Operativo de Captación de Menores, MITRADEL. Accessed April 19, 2016. Source on file.
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https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/panama/ - Government of Panama. Constitución Política de la República de Panamá con reformas hasta 2004. Enacted 1972.
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http://www.oas.org/juridico/pdfs/mesicic5_pan_res_ane_act_corr_2.pdf - Government of Panama. Decreto Ejecutivo Número 19 Que aprueba la lista del trabajo infantil peligroso, en el marco de las peores formas del trabajo infantil, No. 25569. Enacted June 12, 2006.
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/73943/75839/F1949153997/PAN73943.pdf - Government of Panama. Ley Número 79 Sobre Trata de Personas y Actividades Conexas, No. 79. Enacted November 9, 2011. Source on file.
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https://www.gacetaoficial.gob.pa/pdfTemp/26481_C/GacetaNo_26481c_20100303.pdf - Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral. Dirección nacional contra el trabajo infantil y protección de la persona adolescente trabajadora, Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral. Accessed February 9, 2016. Source on file.
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http://www.policia.gob.pa/15218-polica-de-niez-y-adolescencia-celebra-su-xxiii-aniversario.html - Panama National Police. National Police are Part of the Campaign Against Child Labor. May 27, 2016.
http://www.policia.gob.pa/13167-la-polica-nacional-es-parte-la-campaa-contra-el-trabajo-infantil.html - U.S. Embassy- Panama City official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. June 30, 2021.
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http://www.contraloria.gob.pa/inec/aplicaciones/Cetippat/informes/planNal_2007-2011.pdf - CIA. The World Fact Book. Central America: Panama.
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ - U.S. Embassy- Panama City. Written communication to USDOL official. July 8, 2020.
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http://www.telemetro.com/nacionales/Presentan-Estrategia-Prevencion-Violencia-Adolescentes_0_1156984653.html - UNICEF. Estrategia Nacional Multisectorial de Prevencion de la Violencia Contra Ninos, Ninas, Y Adolescentes 2018–2022 y Plan de Accion 2018–2019. 2018.
https://www.unicef.org/panama/sites/unicef.org.panama/files/2019-06/Estrategia Nacional Multisectorial de Prevención de la Violencia contra Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes 2018 – 2022_0.pdf - Government of Panama. Plan nacional para la prevención y eliminación de la explotación sexual comercial de niños, niñas y adolescentes, 2008–2010. Panama, Comissión Nacional para la Prevención de los Delitos de Explotación Sexual (CONAPREDES), 2008.
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https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/90928/105157/F-1007537726/PAN90928.pdf - Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social de la República de Costa Rica y Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral de la República de Panamá. Acuerdo relativo al mecanismo de coordinación para flujos migratorios con fines de empleo y ocupación entre el Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social de la República de Costa Rica y el Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral de la República de Panamá. September 17, 2015. Source on file.
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https://impresa.prensa.com/panorama/Crece-numero-menores-abusados_0_4996750354.html - Rodriguez, Olemdo. Abuso sexual a menores, en aumento. La Prensa, November 4, 2018.
https://impresa.prensa.com/panorama/Abuso-sexual-menores-aumento_0_5160233979.html
