VZCZCXYZ0014
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBW #0204/01 0401728
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 091726Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
TO RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0723
INFO RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA

UNCLAS BELGRADE 000204 
 
SIPDIS 
DOL/ILAB FOR LEYLA STROTKAMP, RACHEL RIGBY, TINA MCCARTER 
DRL/ILSCR FOR SARAH MORGAN 
GTIP/ FOR MARK TAYLOR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB EIND ETRD KTIP PHUM AID SOCI
SUBJECT: SERBIA: INFORMATION ON CHILD LABOR AND FORCED LABOR FOR DOL 
CONGRESSIONAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 
 
REF: 09 STATE 131995 
 
Below is post's submission on child labor and forced labor as 
requested in reftel. 
 
 
 
TASKING 1/TVPRA:  CHILD LABOR IN THE PRODUCTION OF GOODS 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---------------------- 
---------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶1. There is no record of forced or exploitative child labor in the 
production of goods in Serbia. 
 
 
 
TASKING 2/TDA:    CHILD LABOR UNDER THE TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT ACT 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---------------------- 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
 
 
2A. Prevalence and Sectoral Distribution of Exploitative Child 
Labor 
 
 
 
¶1. Children in the Republic of Serbia can be found working in rural 
areas, on family farms or in other family businesses.  Children 
also work in the informal sector, selling small items or washing 
car windows.  Children from poor, rural communities, Romani 
children, and children living with foster families are at the 
highest risk for entering exploitive child labor, including 
begging, prostitution, dealing narcotics, and hard physical labor. 
Children have also been trafficked for purposes of forced labor or 
street begging.  The incidence of trafficking of children for 
sexual exploitation has reportedly continued to grow, although this 
may be attributed to increased monitoring and an increase in victim 
identification.  The Ministry of Labor and Social Issues disagrees 
with these findings, noting the GoS needs to improve data 
collection in this area and streamline responsibilities, which are 
currently spread out among several ministries. (Note:  Information 
gathered from public documents and statements from child protection 
NGOs and the GoS Ministry of Labor). 
 
 
 
2B. Changes to Child Labor Laws and Regulations in 2009 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---------------------- 
--------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶1.  In 2009, Serbia passed expanded legal protections including 
punishment for showing, obtaining, and possession of pornographic 
materials portraying minors, and use of computer networks for 
committing sex based crimes against minors.  The Registry Law, 
which sets forth requirements for recording births to unknown 
parents, was amended in 2009, as was the Law on Foreigners, which 
provides for a temporary residence permit for foreigners that are 
victims of human trafficking. 
 
 
 
¶2.  The Labor Ministry is reviewing laws that impact child labor, 
but does not have a timetable for when a draft would be available 
for review. 
 
 
 
 
 
2C, Section I:  Hazardous Child Labor: 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---------------------- 
--- 
 
 
¶1.  Responsible Agencies:    Responsibility for child labor issues 
is shared by the Ministries of Labor and Social Issues, Internal 
Affairs, Justice, and Education. 
 
 
 
¶2.  Interagency information exchange:   There is no formal 
mechanism for exchanging information. 
 
 
 
¶3. Mechanism for Complaints; Number of Complaints:  Complaints are 
raised through inspectors employed by the Ministry of Labor and 
Social Issues.  No information is available concerning the number 
of child labor complaints. 
 
 
 
¶4.  Funding:   Funding is inadequate.  Inspectors lack adequate 
facilities and equipment to perform their duties.  For example, 
many inspectors have poor office space, and no Internet access or 
computers. 
 
 
 
¶5.  Number and Adequacy of Inspectors:  The GoS employs 
approximately 300 inspectors who cover all labor issues within 
assigned geographic areas.  No inspectors are solely dedicated to 
child labor matters.   The inspectors do not have specialized 
training in children's issues, forced labor, or trafficking. 
 
 
 
¶6.  Number of Inspections:  Official data is not available. 
 
 
 
¶7. Number of children removed/assisted:  Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶8.  Number of "prosecutions" opened:  15 investigations, which may 
or may not turn into prosecutions, were opened from January - 
September, 2009. 
 
 
 
¶9.  Number of cases closed or resolved:  Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶10.  Number of violations/convictions:  Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶11.  Average length of time per case:  Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
12:  Penalties applied:  Penalties are assessed by the courts and 
this information is not available.  Officials at the Labor and 
Social Issues Ministry would like to see the law amended to permit 
inspectors to issue fines rather than allowing cases to linger in 
an inefficient court system. 
 
 
 
¶13. Do the statistics reflect a commitment to combat exploitative 
child labor?  The statistics available are insufficient to 
demonstrate a commitment to combat child labor. 
 
 
 
¶14.  Did the government offer training to investigators or other 
responsible for enforcement?   No. 
 
 
 
2C, Section I:  Forced Child Labor: 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
 
 
¶1.  Responsible Agencies:    Responsibility for all child labor 
issues is shared by the Ministries of Labor and Social Issues, 
Internal Affairs, Justice, and Education. 
 
 
 
¶2.  Interagency information exchange:   There is no formal 
mechanism for exchanging information. 
 
 
 
¶3. Mechanism for Complaints; Number of Complaints:  Complaints are 
raised through inspectors employed by the Ministry of Labor.  Child 
labor complaints are not tracked separately from overall labor 
complaints. 
 
 
 
¶4.  Funding:   Funding is inadequate.  Inspectors lack adequate 
facilities and equipment to perform their duties.  For example, 
many inspectors have poor office space, and no internet access or 
computers. 
 
 
 
¶5.  Number and Adequacy of Inspectors:    The GoS employs 
approximately 300 inspectors who cover all labor issues within 
assigned geographic areas.  No inspectors are solely dedicated to 
child labor matters.   The inspectors have no specialized training 
in children's issues, forced labor, or trafficking. 
 
 
 
¶6.  Number of Inspections:  Official data is not available. 
 
 
 
¶7. Number of children removed/assisted:  Two children trafficked 
for labor exploitation were identified and assisted.  Official data 
for non-trafficking cases of forced child labor is not available. 
 
 
 
¶8.  Number of "prosecutions" opened:  The Ministry of Labor and 
Social Issues officially investigated 15 cases of illegal or forced 
child labor between October, 2008 and September, 2009.  All 
involved the catering and construction industries.  5 of the 
children had written parental permission to work; charges have been 
filed against the remaining 10 employers.  Three cases involved 
youths working night shifts.  One underage worker from Pancevo was 
injured on the job and later died from his injuries. 
 
 
 
¶9.  Number of cases closed or resolved:  Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶10.  Number of violations/convictions:  Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶11.  Average length of time per case:  Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
12:  Penalties applied:  Penalties are assessed by the courts and 
this information is not available.  Officials at the Labor Ministry 
would like to see the law amended to permit inspectors to issue 
fines rather than allowing cases to linger in an inefficient court 
system. 
 
 
 
¶13. Do the statistics reflect a commitment to combat exploitative 
child labor? The statistics available are insufficient to 
demonstrate a commitment to combat child labor. 
 
 
¶14.  Did the government offer training to investigators or other 
responsible for enforcement?   No. 
 
 
 
2D. Section I.  Child Trafficking: 
 
 
 
¶1. Agencies and Resources:  The following agencies are tasked with 
working on different aspects of combating trafficking in persons in 
general, including trafficking in children:  Agency for 
Coordination of Protection of Trafficking Victims, Office of the 
National Coordinator to Combat Trafficking, Ministry of Interior, 
Ministry of Labor and Social Issues, Ministry of Justice, Ministry 
of Health, and Ministry of Education. 
 
 
 
¶2. Funding:  Official data is not available. 
 
 
 
¶3.  Hotlines:  There are two hotlines dedicated to trafficking in 
persons in general. They are operated by the Ministry of Interior 
and the NGO ASTRA. 
 
 
 
¶4. Number of Investigators/Investigations:   Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶5. Number of Children Rescued:  59 children were identified and 
rescued as trafficking victims from various forms of exploitation. 
 
 
 
¶6. Number of arrests or other prosecutions:  Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶7.  Number of cases closed or resolved: Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶8.  Number of convictions: Official data is not available 
 
 
 
¶9.  Did sentences imposed meet legal standards? Official data is 
not available. 
 
 
 
¶10. Were sentences imposed actually served:  Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶11.  Average length of time to resolve a case: Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶12. Training offered: Trafficking in persons training, including 
trafficking in children, was provided to employees of Ministry of 
Interior, Ministry of Labor and Social Issues, Ministry of Justice, 
Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education on victim 
identification, referral, assistance and prevention of trafficking 
in general, including trafficking in children. 
 
 
 
¶13. Use of child soldiers: There were no child soldiers in Serbia. 
 
 
2D. Section II.  Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC): 
 
 
 
¶1. Agencies and Resources:  The following agencies are tasked with 
working on different aspects of combating trafficking in persons in 
general, including trafficking in children:  Agency for 
Coordination of Protection of Trafficking Victims, Office of the 
National Coordinator to Combat Trafficking, Ministry of Interior, 
Ministry of Labor and Social Issues, Ministry of Justice, Ministry 
of Health, and Ministry of Education. 
 
 
 
¶2. Funding:  Official data is not available. 
 
 
 
¶3.  Hotlines:  There are two hotlines dedicated to trafficking in 
persons in general. They are operated by the Ministry of Interior 
and NGO ASTRA. 
 
 
 
¶4. Number of Investigators/Investigations:   Official data is not 
available 
 
 
 
¶5. Number of Children Rescued:  29 children were identified and 
rescued as trafficking victims for the purpose of sexual 
exploitation. 
 
 
 
¶6. Number of arrests or other prosecutions:  Official data is not 
available 
 
 
 
¶7.  Number of cases closed or resolved: Official data is not 
available 
 
 
 
¶8.  Number of convictions: Official data is not available 
 
 
 
¶9.  Did sentences imposed meet legal standards?  Official data is 
not available. 
 
 
 
¶10. Were sentences imposed actually served? Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶11.  Average length of time to resolve a case: Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶12. Training offered: Trafficking in persons training in general, 
including trafficking in children, was provided to employees of the 
Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Labor and Social Issues, Ministry 
of Justice, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education on victim 
identification, referral, assistance and prevention of trafficking 
in general, including trafficking in children. 
 
 
 
¶13. Use of child soldiers: There were no child soldiers in Serbia. 
 
 
 
2D. Section III.  Use of Children in Illicit Activies. 
 
 
 
¶1. Agencies and Resources:  The following agencies are tasked with 
working on different aspects of combating trafficking in persons in 
general, including trafficking in children:  Agency for 
 
 
Coordination of Protection of Trafficking Victims, Office of the 
National Coordinator to Combat Trafficking, Ministry of Interior, 
Ministry of Labor and Social Issues, Ministry of Justice, Ministry 
of Health, and Ministry of Education. 
 
 
 
¶2. Funding:  Official data is not available. 
 
 
 
¶3.  Hotlines:  There are two hotlines dedicated to trafficking in 
persons in general. They are operated by the Ministry of Interior 
and the NGO ASTRA. 
 
 
 
¶4. Number of Investigators/Investigations:   Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶5. Number of Children Rescued:  Seven children were identified and 
rescued from trafficking for the purpose of exploitation in illicit 
activities. 
 
 
 
¶6. Number of arrests or other prosecutions:  Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶7.  Number of cases closed or resolved: Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶8.  Number of convictions: Official data is not available. 
 
 
 
¶9.  Did sentences imposed meet legal standards? Official data is 
not available. 
 
 
 
¶10. Were sentences imposed actually served? Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶11.  Average length of time to resolve a case: Official data is not 
available. 
 
 
 
¶12. Training offered: Trafficking in persons training, including 
trafficking in children, was provided to employees of Ministry of 
Interior, Ministry of Labor and Social Issues, Ministry of Justice, 
Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education on victim 
identification, referral, assistance and prevention of trafficking, 
including trafficking in children. 
 
 
 
¶13. Use of child soldiers: (U) There were no child soldiers in 
Serbia. 
 
 
 
2E. GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON CHILD LABOR: 
 
1-6. The Ministry of Labor and Social Issues includes child labor 
prevention in its standard protection programs for children and 
families.   There are a number of programs relating to the Roma 
population, within the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights; 
however, these do not specifically address child labor.  The 
Ministry of Labor is working on an action plan for child 
protection. 
 
 
 
¶7.  The Serbian government did not sign any bilateral or 
 
 
international agreements in 2009 relating to anti-trafficking 
measures. 
 
 
 
2 F.  SOCIAL PROGRAMS TO ELIMINATE OR PREVENT CHILD LABOR 
 
1-5. The Serbian government did not incorporate programs 
specifically designed to combat exploitive child labor, although 
labor issues are included in other social policies such as poverty 
reduction. 
 
 
 
¶6.  The Serbian government did not sign any bilateral or 
international agreements in 2009 relating to anti-trafficking 
measures. 
 
 
 
2G. CONTINUAL PROGRESS: 
 
 
 
¶1. As previously reported, Serbia has adequate laws that meet 
international standards to discourage child labor; however, 
resources to enforce these laws remain an issue. In particular, the 
government needs to be more active and effective in helping the 
Roma and impoverished children who are most susceptible to 
exploitation.  Serbia continues to work with its neighbors to 
combat trafficking in persons. 
WARLICK