AMERICA/DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Child labor in the country has declined in the last 10 years

Santo Domingo (Agenzia Fides) - According to the results of a study just published by local authorities, in the past 10 years there has been a 14% reduction of child labor in the Dominican Republic. According to these data, the country is moving towards the eradication of the worst forms of child labor by 2015 and the elimination of all forms of exploitation by 2020, as planned by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Office of the United Nations for Childhood. The study, conducted between December 2009 and January 2010, involved 9119 households and interviewed 8540 children aged between 5 and 17. According to the ministry of local labor, more than 89% of children and adolescents of Dominican workers are able to continue their studies. The country is among the most advanced in the fight against child labor, a significant downward trend. The highest rates are recorded in the provinces of the southwest such as Bahoruco, Independencia, Pedernales and Barahona with 24.5%, while the lowest in the National District and the province of Santo Domingo, with 8%. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 18/11/2011)