81 FR 67392 - 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 81, Issue 190 (September 30, 2016)

Page Range		67392-67393
FR Document		2016-23612

This notice is a request for information and/or comment on three reports issued by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) 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 2015 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor report (TDA report), published on September 30, 2016, assesses efforts by 137 countries to reduce the worst forms of child labor over the course of 2015 and reports whether countries made significant, moderate, minimal, or no advancement during that year. It also suggests actions foreign countries can take to eliminate the worst forms of child labor through legislation, enforcement, coordination, policies, and social programs. The 2016 edition of the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor (TVPRA List), published on September 30, 2016, makes 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. Finally, 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 edition of the TDA report, to be published in 2017; the next edition of the TVPRA List, to be published in 2018; and for possible updates to the EO List as needed.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67392-67393]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23612]


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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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice is a request for information and/or comment on 
three reports issued by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs 
(ILAB) 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 2015 
Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor report (TDA report), 
published on September 30, 2016, assesses efforts by 137 countries to 
reduce the worst forms of child labor over the course of 2015 and 
reports whether countries made significant, moderate, minimal, or no 
advancement during that year. It also suggests actions foreign 
countries can take to eliminate the worst forms of child labor through 
legislation, enforcement, coordination, policies, and social programs. 
The 2016 edition of the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced 
Labor (TVPRA List), published on September 30, 2016, makes 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. Finally, 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 edition of the TDA report, to be published in 2017; the 
next edition of the TVPRA List, to be published in 2018; and for 
possible updates to the EO List as needed.

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. 
December 16, 2016.
    To Submit Information: Information should be submitted directly to 
OCFT, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor. 
Comments, identified as ``Docket No. DOL-2016-0006'', 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. 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). 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 implementation of its international commitments to eliminate 
the worst forms of child labor.''
    DOL fulfills this reporting mandate 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 GSP. The 2015 TDA report 
and additional background information will be available on the Internet 
at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/findings/.
    II. 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

[[Page 67393]]

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, 2014, and 2016. (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 2018. For a copy of the 2016 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/.
    III. 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 are 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.
    Information Requested and Invitation to Comment: Interested parties 
are invited to comment and provide information regarding these reports. 
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 III 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, 2012). DOL 
appreciates the extent to which submissions clearly indicate the time 
period to which they apply. In the interest of transparency in our 
reporting, 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.

Carol Pier,
Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2016-23612 Filed 9-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-28-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Notices 67393

forced labor or child labor in violation DOL has officially revised the EO List ACTION: Announcement of public
of international standards’’ (TVPRA four times, most recently on July 23, availability of updated list of goods.
List). 2013, each time after public notice and
Pursuant to this mandate, in comment as well as consultation with SUMMARY: This notice announces the
December 2007, DOL published in the DOS and DHS. publication of an updated list of
Federal Register a set of procedural goods—along with countries of origin—
The current EO List, Procedural
guidelines that ILAB follows in that the Bureau of International Labor
Guidelines, and related information can
developing the TVPRA List (72 FR Affairs (ILAB) has reason to believe are
be accessed on the Internet at http://
73374). The guidelines set forth the produced by child labor or forced labor
www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/
criteria by which information is in violation of international standards
list-of-products/index-country.htm.
evaluated; established procedures for (the List). ILAB is required to develop
Information Requested and Invitation
public submission of information to be and make available to the public the List
to Comment: Interested parties are
considered by ILAB; and identified the pursuant to the Trafficking Victims
invited to comment and provide
process ILAB follows in maintaining Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA)
information regarding these reports.
and updating the List after its initial of 2005, as amended.
DOL requests comments or information
publication. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
to maintain and update the TVPRA and
ILAB published its first TVPRA List Director, Office of Child Labor, Forced
EO Lists and to update the findings and
on September 30, 2009, and has issued Labor, and Human Trafficking, Bureau
suggestions for government action for
updates in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, of International Labor Affairs, U.S.
countries reviewed in the TDA report,
2014, and 2016. (In 2014, ILAB began Department of Labor, at (202) 693–4843
as well as to assess each country’s
publishing the TVPRA List every other (this is not a toll-free number).
individual advancement toward
year, pursuant to changes in the law. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
eliminating the worst forms of child
See 22 U.S.C. 7112(b).) The next TVPRA Bureau of International Labor Affairs
labor during the current reporting
List will be published in 2018. For a (ILAB) announces the publication of the
copy of the 2016 TVPRA List, period compared to previous years. For
more information on the types of issues seventh edition of the List of Goods
Frequently Asked Questions, and other Produced by Child Labor or Forced
materials relating to the TVPRA List, see covered in the TDA report, please see
Appendix III of the report. Materials Labor (List), pursuant to the Trafficking
ILAB’s TVPRA Web page at http:// Victims Protection Reauthorization Act
www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/ submitted should be confined to the
specific topics of the TVPRA List, EO (TVPRA) of 2005, as amended (TVPRA).
list-of-goods/. ILAB published the initial List on
III. Executive Order No. 13126 (E.O. List, and TDA report. DOL will
generally consider sources with dates September 10, 2009, and has since
13126) declared that it was ‘‘the policy published six updated editions. The
of the United States Government . . . up to five years old (i.e., data not older
than January 1, 2012). DOL appreciates 2016 edition adds three new goods
that the executive agencies shall take (pepper, potatoes, and silk cocoons) and
appropriate actions to enforce the laws the extent to which submissions clearly
indicate the time period to which they two new countries (Costa Rica and
prohibiting the manufacture or Sudan) to the List. This edition also
importation of goods, wares, articles, apply. In the interest of transparency in
our reporting, classified information features the removal of Jordan from the
and merchandise mined, produced, or List.
manufactured wholly or in part by will not be accepted. Where applicable,
information submitted should indicate Section 105(b) of the TVPRA
forced or indentured child labor.’’ mandates that ILAB develop and
Pursuant to E.O. 13126, and following its source or sources, and copies of the
source material should be provided. If publish a list of goods from countries
public notice and comment, the that ILAB ‘‘has reason to believe are
Department of Labor published in the primary sources are utilized, such as
research studies, interviews, direct produced with child labor or forced
January 18, 2001 Federal Register, a labor in violation of international
final list of products (‘‘EO List’’), observations, or other sources of
quantitative or qualitative data, details standards.’’ 22 U.S.C. 7112(b)(2). ILAB’s
identified by country of origin, that the Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and
Department, in consultation and on the research or data-gathering
methodology should be provided. Please Human Trafficking (OCFT) carries out
cooperation with the Departments of
see the TVPRA List, EO List, and TDA this mandate. The primary purposes of
State (DOS) and Treasury [relevant
report for a complete explanation of the List are to raise public awareness
responsibilities are now within the
relevant terms, definitions, and about the incidence of child labor and
Department of Homeland Security
reporting guidelines employed by DOL. forced labor in the production of goods
(DHS)], had a reasonable basis to believe
in the countries listed and to promote
might have been mined, produced or Carol Pier, efforts to eliminate such practices. A
manufactured with forced or indentured
Deputy Undersecretary for International full report, including the updated List
child labor (66 FR 5353). In addition to Affairs. and a discussion of the List’s
the List, the Department also published
[FR Doc. 2016–23612 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am] methodology, as well as Frequently
on January 18, 2001, ‘‘Procedural
BILLING CODE 4510–28–P Asked Questions and a bibliography of
Guidelines for Maintenance of the List
sources, are available on the Department
of Products Requiring Federal
of Labor Web site at: http://
Contractor Certification as to Forced or DEPARTMENT OF LABOR www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/
Indentured Child Labor,’’ which provide
list-of-goods/.
for maintaining, reviewing, and, as
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

Notice of Publication of 2016 Update to
appropriate, revising the EO List (66 FR Signed at Washington, DC, this 19 day of
the Department of Labor’s List of September 2016.
5351). Goods Produced by Child Labor or
Pursuant to Sections D through G of Carol Pier,
Forced Labor
the Procedural Guidelines, the EO List Deputy Undersecretary for International
may be updated through consideration AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Bureau Affairs.
of submissions by individuals or of International Labor Affairs, [FR Doc. 2016–23479 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am]
through OCFT’s own initiative. Department of Labor. BILLING CODE 4510–28–P

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Document Created: 2018-02-09 13:34:20
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 13:34:20

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		81 FR 67392