VZCZCXRO9101
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #0447 1661527
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 151527Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5116
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHMFISS/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHLMC/MCC WASHDC

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000447 
 
DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA AND DRL 
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W 
ACCRA FOR USAID/WA 
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: ELAB PHUM PGOV SOCI KWMN SCUL NG
SUBJECT: ILO Country Program Holds Child Labor Conference 
 
¶1. (U) Summary:  On June 11-12, Embassy Political Officer and 
Political Specialist traveled to Zinder (approximately 550 miles 
east of Niamey), Niger's second largest city, to attend a conference 
celebrating June 12 World Day Against Child Labor.  The two-day 
conference, organized by the International Labor Organization 
International Program for the Elimination of Child Labor (ILO/IPEC), 
aimed to raise awareness on the issues Niger faces in combating the 
worst forms of child labor.  End Summary. 
 
Conference Raises Awareness on Forms of Child Labor 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
¶2.  (U) The World Day Against Child Labor conference was sponsored 
by the Government of Niger (GON) Ministry of Labor (MOL), UNICEF, 
World Vision, Save the Children, and the Federation of Employers' 
Organizations (known by its French acronym FOP).  The event brought 
together local council members, traditional chiefs, religious 
leaders, labor unions, employers, educators, community leaders as 
well as members of the development community and government 
officials to discuss the current climate in Niger.  Several 
children, rescued from deplorable work situations in Niger, were 
included in the conference. 
 
¶3.  (U) The Zinder Regional Government Secretary General highlighted 
in his remarks the importance of this event.  The opening ceremony 
was followed by a two-hour symposium, which underscored the 
continuing challenges that Niger faces and included a presentation 
focused on the tenants of ILO Convention 182 that concerns the 
interdiction of the worst forms of child labor.  Three documentary 
films were shown - one relating to ILO Convention 182 and two others 
focused on children working in sectors such as gold mining, farming, 
slaughterhouse activities, in addition to begging in regions of 
Niger.  The films included footage on children used by prostitution 
rings and children who handle exposed poultry, undoubtedly exposing 
themselves to health risks. Dounama Abdou, MOL Director of Labor and 
Social Security, also head of the MOL Child Labor Division closed 
the symposium by stating: "Education and fighting the worst forms of 
child labor is a tedious task that requires time and patience. It is 
like planting a date tree. It takes several years to grow and 
maintain, but when it starts yielding fruit, that will be for a long 
time." 
 
Vocational School Sporting Events 
--------------------------------- 
¶4.  (U) After the symposium, Embassy officers were given a tour of a 
vocational school that was built to provide training to children in 
Niger who have been rescued from harmful working conditions.  The 
center offers courses on computer technology, construction, fabric 
design, auto mechanics, and metal work.  These are all skills sets 
that will aid the graduates' competitiveness in Niger's job market. 
The school officials inquired about the possibility of U.S. 
Government financial for material support, such as the provision of 
computers, internet access, a generator, tool boxes and/or 
micro-financing for graduating students to start their own 
business. 
 
¶5.  (U) Following the visit to the vocational school, Embassy 
officers attended two World Day Against Child Labor sporting events, 
children participating in basketball and volleyball matches. 
 
Comment 
------- 
¶6. (U) The two day conference had a low turnout, possibly the result 
of both the current political situation in Niger and the beginning 
of the farming season that may have prevented some participants from 
rural areas from attending the session.  Heavy rain forced the 
cancellation of some planned performances, but overall the event was 
a relative success.  End Comment. 
 
¶7. Minimized considered. 
 
Allen