The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $4 million cooperative agreement with Pact, an international development organization, to support Tanzania's efforts in combating child labor and improving working conditions in gold production. The initiative is administered by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs.
The project aims to enhance the capacity of both government and civil society in the Geita region of Tanzania. It will focus on reducing child labor and promoting acceptable work conditions within gold mining communities. Key partners will be empowered to produce and share data, improve government capabilities to monitor labor violations, and pilot community-based strategies to remove children from exploitative labor situations.
According to the Bureau of International Labor Affairs' report on the worst forms of child labor, there is significant child labor in artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Tanzania. Children involved face hazardous conditions such as navigating unstable mineshafts, exposure to toxic substances, and operating heavy machinery.
Pact is an international non-profit organization active in nearly 40 countries. It currently manages several projects for the Department of Labor, including Madagascar Shines and Pilares, which focus on mica and gold sectors respectively. Additionally, Pact oversees key U.S. government programs in Tanzania like ACHIEVE and Kizazi Kipya.
