U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis to launch partnership on Monday, Sept. 13, for reducing child labor in the production of cocoa

Initiative aimed at cocoa growing regions of Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, members of the U.S. Congress, labor ministers of Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, and cocoa and chocolate industry executives will announce a new initiative to eliminate the worst forms of child labor in the areas that supply more than half of the world's cocoa.  The plan supports the Harkin-Engel Protocol, an international agreement signed in September 2001 aimed at ending child labor in the production of cocoa. The event will take place on Monday, Sept. 13, in Washington, D.C., at 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Room S-2508.

WHO: U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis

Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa

Rep. Eliot Engel of New York's 17th District

Cote d'Ivoire Minister of Public Service and Employment Emile Guirieoulou

Ghana Minister of Employment and Social Welfare E. T. Mensah

Representatives of the international chocolate and cocoa industry

WHAT: Announcement on combating worst forms of child labor in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 13

2:30 to 3:15 p.m. EDT

WHERE: Room S-2508

U.S. Department of Labor

200 Constitution Ave. NW

Washington, D.C. 20210

NOTE:  Media intending to cover this event should contact Clarisse Young or Gloria Della.  Media must present photo identification and will be escorted to the event from the visitors' entrance at Third and C Streets NW.  

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SOURCE U.S. Department of Labor