80 FR 65805 - Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Forced or Indentured Child Labor in the Production of Goods in Foreign Countries and Efforts by Certain Foreign Countries To Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 207 (October 27, 2015)

Page Range		65805-65806
FR Document		2015-27329

This notice is a request for information and/or comment on three reports issued by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) in 2014 and 2015 regarding child labor and forced labor in certain foreign countries. Relevant information submitted by the public will be used by the Department of Labor (DOL) in preparation of its ongoing reporting under Congressional mandates and Presidential directive. The 2014 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor report (TDA report), published on September 30, 2015, assessed efforts by 140 countries to reduce the worst forms of child labor and reported whether countries made significant, moderate, minimal, or no advancement. It also suggested actions foreign countries can take to eliminate the worst forms of child labor through legislation, enforcement, coordination, policies and social programs. The 2014 edition of the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor (TVPRA List), published on December 1, 2014, made available to the public a list of goods from countries that ILAB has reason to believe are produced by child labor or forced labor in violation of international standards. The List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor (EO List), most recently published on December 1, 2014, provides a list of products, identified by country of origin, that the Department, in consultation and cooperation with the Departments of State (DOS) and Homeland Security (DHS), have a reasonable basis to believe might have been mined, produced or manufactured with forced or indentured child labor. Relevant information submitted by the public will be used by DOL in preparation of the next editions of all three reports, to be published in 2016.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 207 (Tuesday, October 27, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 207 (Tuesday, October 27, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65805-65806]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27329]



[[Page 65805]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Forced or Indentured Child Labor 
in the Production of Goods in Foreign Countries and Efforts by Certain 
Foreign Countries To Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor

AGENCY: The Bureau of International Labor Affairs, United States 
Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice: Request for information and invitation to comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice is a request for information and/or comment on 
three reports issued by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs 
(ILAB) in 2014 and 2015 regarding child labor and forced labor in 
certain foreign countries. Relevant information submitted by the public 
will be used by the Department of Labor (DOL) in preparation of its 
ongoing reporting under Congressional mandates and Presidential 
directive. The 2014 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor report 
(TDA report), published on September 30, 2015, assessed efforts by 140 
countries to reduce the worst forms of child labor and reported whether 
countries made significant, moderate, minimal, or no advancement. It 
also suggested actions foreign countries can take to eliminate the 
worst forms of child labor through legislation, enforcement, 
coordination, policies and social programs. The 2014 edition of the 
List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor (TVPRA List), 
published on December 1, 2014, made available to the public a list of 
goods from countries that ILAB has reason to believe are produced by 
child labor or forced labor in violation of international standards. 
The List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor (EO 
List), most recently published on December 1, 2014, provides a list of 
products, identified by country of origin, that the Department, in 
consultation and cooperation with the Departments of State (DOS) and 
Homeland Security (DHS), have a reasonable basis to believe might have 
been mined, produced or manufactured with forced or indentured child 
labor. Relevant information submitted by the public will be used by DOL 
in preparation of the next editions of all three reports, to be 
published in 2016.

DATES: Submitters of information are requested to provide their 
submission to the Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human 
Trafficking (OCFT) at the email or physical address below by 5 p.m. 
January 04, 2016.
    To Submit Information: Information submitted to DOL should be 
submitted directly to OCFT, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. 
Department of Labor. Comments, identified as ``Docket No. DOL-2015-
0009'', may be submitted by any of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
    The portal includes instructions for submitting comments. Parties 
submitting responses electronically are encouraged not to submit paper 
copies.
    Facsimile (fax): OCFT at 202-693-4830.
    Mail, Express Delivery, Hand Delivery, and Messenger Service (1 
copy): Chanda Uluca and Rachel Rigby at U.S. Department of Labor, OCFT, 
Bureau of International Labor Affairs, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., 
Room S-5317, Washington, DC 20210.
    Email: Email submissions should be addressed to both Chanda Uluca 
([email protected]) and Rachel Rigby ([email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chanda Uluca and Rachel Rigby. Please 
see contact information above).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Section 105(b)(1) of the Trafficking 
Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (``TVPRA of 2005''), 
Public Law 109-164 (2006), directed the Secretary of Labor, acting 
through ILAB, to ``develop and make available to the public a list of 
goods from countries that the Bureau of International Labor Affairs has 
reason to believe are produced by forced labor or child labor in 
violation of international standards'' (TVPRA List).
    Pursuant to this mandate, in December 2007 DOL published in the 
Federal Register a set of procedural guidelines that ILAB follows in 
developing the TVPRA List (72 FR 73374). The guidelines set forth the 
criteria by which information is evaluated; established procedures for 
public submission of information to be considered by ILAB; and 
identified the process ILAB follows in maintaining and updating the 
List after its initial publication.
    ILAB published its first TVPRA List on September 30, 2009, and has 
issued updates in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. In 2014, ILAB began 
publishing the TVPRA List every other year, pursuant to changes in the 
law. See 22 U.S.C. 7112(b). The next TVPRA List will be published in 
2016. For a copy of the 2014 TVPRA List, Frequently Asked Questions, 
and other materials relating to the TVPRA List, see ILAB's TVPRA Web 
page at http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/list-of-goods/
    II. Executive Order No. 13126 (E.O. 13126) declared that it was 
``the policy of the United States Government . . . that the executive 
agencies shall take appropriate actions to enforce the laws prohibiting 
the manufacture or importation of goods, wares, articles, and 
merchandise mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part by 
forced or indentured child labor.'' Pursuant to E.O. 13126, and 
following public notice and comment, the Department of Labor published 
in the January 18, 2001 Federal Register, a final list of products 
(``EO List''), identified by country of origin, that the Department, in 
consultation and cooperation with the Departments of State (DOS) and 
Treasury [relevant responsibilities now within the Department of 
Homeland Security (DHS)], had a reasonable basis to believe might have 
been mined, produced or manufactured with forced or indentured child 
labor (66 FR 5353). In addition to the List, the Department also 
published on January 18, 2001, ``Procedural Guidelines for Maintenance 
of the List of Products Requiring Federal Contractor Certification as 
to Forced or Indentured Child Labor,'' which provide for maintaining, 
reviewing, and, as appropriate, revising the EO List (66 FR 5351).
    Pursuant to Sections D through G of the Procedural Guidelines, the 
EO List may be updated through consideration of submissions by 
individuals or through OCFT's own initiative.
    DOL has officially revised the EO List four times, most recently on 
July 23, 2013, each time after public notice and comment as well as 
consultation with DOS and DHS.
    The current EO List, Procedural Guidelines, and related information 
can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/list-of-products/index-country.htm.
    III. The Trade and Development Act of 2000 (TDA), Public Law 106-
200 (2000), established a new eligibility criterion for receipt of 
trade benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), 
Caribbean Basin Trade and Partnership Act (CBTPA), and Africa Growth 
and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the (now-expired) Andean Trade 
Preference Act/Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPA/
ATPDEA).
    The TDA amended the GSP reporting requirements of Section 504 of 
the Trade Act of 1974, 19 U.S.C. 2464, to require that the President's 
annual report on the status of internationally recognized worker rights 
include ``findings by the Secretary of Labor with respect to the 
beneficiary country's

[[Page 65806]]

implementation of its international commitments to eliminate the worst 
forms of child labor.'' Title II of the TDA and the TDA Conference 
Report, Joint Explanatory Statement of the Committee of Conference, 
106th Cong.2d.Sess. (2000), indicate that the same criterion applies 
for the receipt of benefits under CBTPA and AGOA, respectively. In 
addition, the Andean Trade Preference Act, as amended and expanded by 
the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, Public Law 107-
210, Title XXXI (2002), includes as a criterion for receiving benefits 
``[w]hether the country has implemented its commitments to eliminate 
the worst forms of child labor as defined in section 507(6) of the 
Trade Act of 1974.''
    DOL fulfills these reporting mandates through annual publication of 
the U.S. Department of Labor's Findings on the Worst Forms of Child 
Labor with respect to countries eligible for the aforementioned 
programs. The 2014 report and additional background information are 
available on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/findings/.
    Information Requested and Invitation to Comment: Interested parties 
are invited to comment and provide information regarding DOL's TVPRA 
List which may be found on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/list-of-goods/, EO List which may be found at 
http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/list-of-products/index-country.htm, and TDA Report which may be found at http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/findings/ or obtained from OCFT. DOL requests 
comments or information to maintain and update the TVPRA and EO Lists 
and to update the findings and suggestions for government action for 
countries reviewed in the TDA Report, as well as to assess each 
country's individual advancement toward eliminating the worst forms of 
child labor during the current reporting period compared to previous 
years. For more information on the types of issues covered in the TDA 
Report, please see Appendix II of the report. Materials submitted 
should be confined to the specific topics of the TVPRA List, EO List, 
and TDA report. DOL will generally consider sources with dates up to 
five years old (i.e., data not older than January 1, 2011). DOL 
appreciates the extent to which submissions clearly indicate the time 
period to which they apply. In the interest of transparency, classified 
information will not be accepted. Where applicable, information 
submitted should indicate its source or sources, and copies of the 
source material should be provided. If primary sources are utilized, 
such as research studies, interviews, direct observations, or other 
sources of quantitative or qualitative data, details on the research or 
data-gathering methodology should be provided. Please see the TVPRA 
List, EO List, and TDA Report for a complete explanation of relevant 
terms, definitions, and reporting guidelines employed by DOL.
    This notice is a general solicitation of comments from the public.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 21st day of October 2015.
Carol Pier,
Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2015-27329 Filed 10-26-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-28-P

65806 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Notices

implementation of its international material should be provided. If primary Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL–EBSA,
commitments to eliminate the worst sources are utilized, such as research Office of Management and Budget,
forms of child labor.’’ Title II of the TDA studies, interviews, direct observations, Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW.,
and the TDA Conference Report, Joint or other sources of quantitative or Washington, DC 20503; by Fax: 202–
Explanatory Statement of the Committee qualitative data, details on the research 395–5806 (this is not a toll-free
of Conference, 106th Cong.2d.Sess. or data-gathering methodology should number); or by email:
(2000), indicate that the same criterion be provided. Please see the TVPRA List, OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov.
applies for the receipt of benefits under EO List, and TDA Report for a complete Commenters are encouraged, but not
CBTPA and AGOA, respectively. In explanation of relevant terms, required, to send a courtesy copy of any
addition, the Andean Trade Preference definitions, and reporting guidelines comments by mail or courier to the U.S.
Act, as amended and expanded by the employed by DOL. Department of Labor-OASAM, Office of
Andean Trade Promotion and Drug This notice is a general solicitation of the Chief Information Officer, Attn:
Eradication Act, Public Law 107–210, comments from the public. Departmental Information Compliance
Title XXXI (2002), includes as a Signed at Washington, DC, this 21st day of Management Program, Room N1301,
criterion for receiving benefits October 2015. 200 Constitution Avenue NW.,
‘‘[w]hether the country has Carol Pier, Washington, DC 20210; or by email:
implemented its commitments to Deputy Undersecretary for International
DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov.
eliminate the worst forms of child labor Affairs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
as defined in section 507(6) of the Trade [FR Doc. 2015–27329 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am] Michel Smyth by telephone at 202–693–
Act of 1974.’’ 4129, TTY 202–693–8064, (these are not
BILLING CODE 4510–28–P
DOL fulfills these reporting mandates toll-free numbers) or by email at
through annual publication of the U.S. DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov.
Department of Labor’s Findings on the DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Worst Forms of Child Labor with Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D).
respect to countries eligible for the Office of the Secretary SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This ICR
aforementioned programs. The 2014 seeks to extend PRA authority for the
report and additional background Agency Information Collection Definition of Plan Assets—Participant
information are available on the Internet Activities; Submission for OMB Contributions information collection
at http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/ Review; Comment Request; Definition codified in regulations 29 CFR 2520.3–
child-labor/findings/. of Plan Assets—Participant 102(d). The regulation concerning plan
Information Requested and Invitation Contributions assets and participant contributions
to Comment: Interested parties are provides guidance for a fiduciary,
invited to comment and provide ACTION: Notice. participant, or beneficiary of an
information regarding DOL’s TVPRA employee benefit plan regarding how a
SUMMARY: The Department of Labor participant contribution to a pension
List which may be found on the Internet
(DOL) is submitting the Employee plan must be handled when the
at http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/
Benefits Security Administration contribution is either paid to the
child-labor/list-of-goods/, EO List which
may be found at http://www.dol.gov/ (EBSA) sponsored information employer by the participant or directly
ilab/reports/child-labor/list-of-products/ collection request (ICR) titled, withheld by the employer from the
index-country.htm, and TDA Report ‘‘Definition of Plan Assets—Participant employee’s wages for transmission to
which may be found at http:// Contributions,’’ to the Office of the pension plan. In particular, the
www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/ Management and Budget (OMB) for regulation sets standards for the timely
findings/ or obtained from OCFT. DOL review and approval for continued use, delivery of such participant
requests comments or information to without change, in accordance with the contributions, including an outside time
maintain and update the TVPRA and EO Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 limit for the employer’s holding of
Lists and to update the findings and (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Public participant contributions. In addition,
suggestions for government action for comments on the ICR are invited. for an employer who may have
countries reviewed in the TDA Report, DATES: The OMB will consider all difficulty meeting the regulation’s
as well as to assess each country’s written comments that agency receives outside deadlines for transmitting
individual advancement toward on or before November 27, 2015. participant contribution, the regulation
eliminating the worst forms of child ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with provides the opportunity for the
labor during the current reporting applicable supporting documentation; employer to obtain an extension of the
period compared to previous years. For including a description of the likely time limit by providing participants and
more information on the types of issues respondents, proposed frequency of the Department with a notice that
covered in the TDA Report, please see response, and estimated total burden contains specified information.
Appendix II of the report. Materials may be obtained free of charge from the Employee Retirement Income Security
submitted should be confined to the RegInfo.gov Web site at http:// Act of 1974 section 404 authorizes this
specific topics of the TVPRA List, EO www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ information collection. See 29 U.S.C.
List, and TDA report. DOL will PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201509-1210-005 1104.
generally consider sources with dates (this link will only become active on the This information collection is subject
up to five years old (i.e., data not older day following publication of this notice) to the PRA. A Federal agency generally
than January 1, 2011). DOL appreciates or by contacting Michel Smyth by cannot conduct or sponsor a collection
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

the extent to which submissions clearly telephone at 202–693–4129, TTY 202– of information, and the public is
indicate the time period to which they 693–8064, (these are not toll-free generally not required to respond to an
apply. In the interest of transparency, numbers) or by email at information collection, unless it is
classified information will not be DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov. approved by the OMB under the PRA
accepted. Where applicable, information Submit comments about this request and displays a currently valid OMB
submitted should indicate its source or by mail or courier to the Office of Control Number. In addition,
sources, and copies of the source Information and Regulatory Affairs, notwithstanding any other provisions of

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Document Created: 2015-12-14 15:35:56
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 15:35:56

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice: Request for information and invitation to comment.
Dates		Submitters of information are requested to provide their submission to the Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human
Contact		Chanda Uluca and Rachel Rigby. Please see contact information above).
FR Citation		80 FR 65805