Bureau of International Labor Affairs

Description

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) protects vulnerable people worldwide—child laborers, people at risk of forced labor and human trafficking, and workers at the bottom of global supply chains. ILAB promotes, monitors, and enforces labor-related provisions in U.S. trade agreements and preference programs to create a more level playing field for American workers and businesses; monitors and combats child labor; promotes respect for labor rights and adherence to labor laws to improve enforcement among trading partners; and implements projects that fight poverty by improving worker rights and livelihoods.

Use of Funds

ILAB funds technical assistance programs that combat child labor and human trafficking, promote labor rights, and support fair trade in complex labor rights environments.

Justification

• In 2020, it is estimated that 160 million children were engaged in child labor, accounting for 1 in 10 of all children. About half (about 79 million) work in hazardous conditions.
• Since 1995, ILAB has withdrawn nearly 2 million children from labor and provided them with education. It has partnered with 97 governments and 80 organizations to strengthen laws, policies, and programs and trained more than 60,000 labor inspectors and law enforcement officials.
• As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, an additional 8.9 million children will be in child labor by the end of 2022. Migrant children and children of migrant workers are among the most vulnerable. ILAB projects seek to address the root causes of migration in response to the impact of COVID-19 on child labor.
• Since 1995, ILAB has developed programs in more than 72 countries that address a wide range of labor issues and ensure that trade partner countries have the tools to enforce their labor laws and comply with a trade agreement’s or preference program’s labor obligations.