The Regional Initiative Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour deeply regrets the passing of Rumiko Tanaka, who, from the labour sector, promoted the prevention and eradication of child labour in Brazil and the region.

Rumiko Tanaka was designated as focal point of the Regional Initiative from 2019-2020, representing the workers organizations. During her lifetime she held key positions such as the secretary for childhood and adolescence of the General Union of Workers (UGT) and Financial Director of the National Confederation of Workers in Credit Enterprises (CONET) of Brazil. In all these positions, she was a driving force in the effort to end child labour.

We extend our deepest condolences to Rumiko's family, friends, and colleagues, as well as to our colleagues in CSA and UGT during this difficult time. Her absence will be deeply felt, and her example will continue to inspire our work in the fight against child labour.

The Regional Initiative Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour is a group of 31 countries working in an articulated and tripartite manner to achieve the first generation free of child labour in the region.

Currently, the Regional Initiative is made up of: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela, together with the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA).

The Regional Initiative Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour operates with the technical assistance of the ILO and the sustained support of its partners, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the Andalusian Agency for International Development Cooperation (AACID), the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) and the United States Department of Labor (USDOL).