In its 2023 report on child labor, the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) has recognized El Salvador for its significant strides in addressing child labor and human trafficking. According to the report, El Salvador has shown moderate progress in its efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor.
A key achievement highlighted is the introduction of the National Action Plan against Human Trafficking by the Salvadoran government. This comprehensive plan focuses on improving detection, investigation, care, and training related to human trafficking. Additionally, the National Council for Early Childhood, Childhood, and Adolescence has established the Network of Entities for the Care of Children and Adolescents. This network aims to coordinate various programs and enhance services for vulnerable children and adolescents across the country.
Despite these advancements, the report notes areas where further improvements are needed. Challenges include insufficient resources for law enforcement agencies tasked with enforcing child labor laws and gaps in publicly available information about the government’s efforts. The report also points out that social programs need to more effectively address child labor, particularly in the informal and service sectors.
Overall, the USDOL report underscores El Salvador’s commitment to improving conditions for its youngest citizens while also highlighting areas for future development. For more details on the report and the government’s efforts, you can read the full document here: