Grassley, Kerrey Seek Action Against Child Labor Overseas


Bipartisan Plan Would Give Trade Incentives to Curb Use of Child Labor


Jill Kozeny, The Ofc. of Sen. Grassley, 202/224-1308


, DC - Sens. Chuck Grassley and Bob Kerrey teamed up today to address a pervasive condition in the global workplace: children who are exploited for labor overseas.

The Midwestern senators have introduced bipartisan trade legislation that would that would target trade benefits to countries that comply with the child-friendly provisions outlined by the International Labor Organization (ILO), specifically the Minimum Age Convention.

"It is unconscionable that innocent children overseas are put to work in sweat-shops," said Grassley. "It's clear that regulation and enforcement won't work alone, so our bill offers trade incentives to garner better cooperation by these countries."

"We want kids to be the beneficiaries of economic growth, not the engines of it. So to us, it's evident that it's self-defeating for economic growth to come at the expense of children. This bill is a step in the right direction and I hope it represents to people that we are willing ? and in fact look forward ? to come to the table on tough issues that in the past has divided Congress," Kerrey said.

International statistics that show developing countries continue to press millions of minors into low-paying or unpaid jobs, despite international laws aimed at stopping this terrible practice. According to ILO reports, children are pressed into service because they are "generally less demanding, more obedient, and less likely to object to their treatment or conditions of work."

With its focus on trade, the International Child Welfare Protection Act is designed to chart a new course in U.S. efforts to curb child labor overseas. The Grassley/Kerrey bill would give the President the authority to:

  • grant a country which complies with the Minimum Age Convention up to a 50 percent tariff rate cut on exports that otherwise would not be eligible for preferential tariff rates; and,
  • waive current limitations on the amounts of additional goods that countries who are in compliance with the Minimum Age Convention may export to the U.S. If the President finds domestic industries are negatively impacted by these targeted trade benefits, the President also has the authority to suspend, limit or withdraw the benefits.

Adopted in 1973, the ILO Minimum Age Convention establishes a minimum age at which children may be employed. To date, only 21 developing country member states out of 173 members have ratified the Convention to stop child labor. Of those, none is from Asia, where more than half of all working children can be found.

Grassley and Kerrey are both members of the Finance Committee. Grassley is chairman of the International Trade Subcommittee.

Staff Contact:Jill Kozeny, The Ofc. of Sen. Grassley, 202/224-1308