Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Sen. Tom Harkin are making available $32.5 million in grants as well as releasing three new reports in an effort to fight exploitative child labor on a global level.

"These reports provide an overview of international efforts to protect children from hazardous work and identify critical gaps in policy and enforcement that leave them vulnerable," says Secretary Solis. "Through increased education and awareness and critical assistance to families and governments, we can help make exploitative child labor a thing of the past."

The Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor report, which was mandated by the Trade and Development Act, concentrates on hazardous work performed by children and includes profiles for more than 140 countries. The report also explores major conclusions on each central government's efforts to address the most severe forms of child labor; gaps in legislation, enforcement, policies and programs; and proposed actions for each government to consider in addressing those gaps. Accessibility and education costs are examined by country, as well.