The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued its sixth annual report on the worst forms of child labor in 141 countries and territories that receive U.S. trade benefits. These include: any form of slavery, such as forced or indentured child labor; the trafficking of children and the forced recruitment of children for armed conflict; child prostitution and pornography; the use of children for illicit activities such as drug trafficking; and work that is likely to harm the health, safety, and morals of children.

"At a time when 211 million children work, it is important that America's trading partners support open economies that generate healthful and safe workplaces promoting education and training over exploitive labor practices," said Charlotte M. Ponticelli, deputy undersecretary of DOL's Bureau of International Labor Affairs.

The report presents information on the nature and extent of the worst forms of child labor in each of the 141 countries and territories, plus efforts under way by their governments to eliminate these practices. The report is available at http://www.dol.gov/ILAB/media/reports/iclp/main.htm.

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