Colombia’s unprecedented police purge causes controversy
Gustavo Petro
Francia Marquez
Colombia suspends ‘most important project of this century’
How to end the war in western Colombia?
Colombia’s government talks peace with ELN in Cuba
Colombia and Venezuela reestablish diplomatic ties
How to keep Venezuela’s diaspora in Colombia safe?
Colombia’s new government proposes tax reform to finance...
Peace talks with Colombia’s ELN guerrillas ‘about to...
  • About
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion
Rafael Pardo (Photo: Mintrabajo)
Latest newsNews

Labor ministers meet in Colombia to tackle youth unemployment, child labor

by Andrew J. Wight November 11, 2013

Youth unemployment and child labor will be the top priorities when labor ministers from 34 North and South American countries meet in Medellin, Colombia on Monday.

“Youth unemployment is a global concern, it is higher than normal unemployment rate and has to be examined,” said Colombian Labor minister Rafael Pardo on the eve of the 28th Conference of Ministers of Labor of the Organization of American States.

A recent report indicates that Colombian unemployment its lowest rate in 12 years, Youth unemployment in particular, however, remains a significant issue for the country: studies show that 51% of Colombia’s unemployed are between the ages of 14 and 28.

MORE: Colombian unemployment lowest in 12 years, rural unemployment still high

MORE: Youth most unemployed demographic in Colombia

“In the last three years, youth unemployment has reduced more than overall unemployment,” the minister said, “New employment laws have allowed 500,000 young people to find a formal job with benefits for the first time.”

Child Labor

Child labor will also be at the forefront of talks in Colombia’s second largest city.

In July, the Ministry of Labor revealed more than one million children — almost one in ten minors — work to sustain themselves or their families.

“Child labor is most acute in informal mining, sales, agriculture and girls working as maids,” Pardo said on Sunday.

MORE: More than 1 million children in Colombia subjected to child labor

MORE: Colombia makes ‘significant advancements’ in efforts to stop child labor: US report

The labor ministers’ conference concludes Tuesday.

The conference has been the primary forum for discussion and decision-making on priorities and actions on labor in the Americas since it began in 1963, said Caracol radio on Sunday.

Sources

  • American Labor Ministers discussed measures against youth unemployment (EFE)
  • Conferencia Interamericana de Ministros de Trabajo en Medellín (Caracol Radio)
  • Un millón de menores de edad trabajan en Colombia: Mintrabajo (Caracol Radio)
Child Laboremploymentlabor rightsOASorganization of american statesRafael Pardo

Trending

  • Colombia suspends ‘most important project of this century’

  • Colombia’s new government proposes tax reform to finance ambitious agenda

  • Colombia’s largest paramilitary group announces unilateral ceasefire

Related articles

  • Colombia’s government at odds with Congress over human rights sanction

  • Colombia’s far-right regime put on despot watch list

  • Colombia clashes with OAS over damning human rights report

  • RSS

@2008-2019 - Colombia Reports. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Digitale Zaken and Parrolabs


Back To Top