The Department of Labor has announced a five-million dollar grant competition to pilot test USDA’s guidelines to reduce child labor and forced labor in imported agricultural products. It’s estimated that 60-percent of children who work worldwide do so in the ag sector. According to the Labor Department – USDA’s 2011 Guidelines for Eliminating Child and Forced Labor in Agricultural Supply Chains lay out the elements of effective company programs to reduce the likelihood that child or forced labor is used in agricultural products or commodities imported into the U.S. The project that receives funding as a result of the competition announced Thursday will involve piloting a program for one or more companies to reduce child labor – and forced labor if applicable – in an agricultural supply chain in one country. The project will also involve documenting lessons learned and recommendations for future application of the USDA guidelines.

Prospective applicants must represent a partnership that includes a nongovernmental organization and a company that is active in agricultural supply chains. The applicants must demonstrate expertise in areas like international children’s issues, labor issues and company supply chain compliance programs. Applications much be submitted by five o’clock Eastern time August 20th. The cooperative agreement award will be made by December 31st.