ILO Subregional Office for the Caribbean

Child labour continues to exist throughout the world and even right here in the Caribbean. 

Children work because their survival and that of their families depend on it, and in some cases, because unscrupulous adults take advantage of their vulnerability. Child labour is also due to weaknesses in education systems and is deeply rooted in cultural and social attitudes and traditions. The problem is further compounded by the fact that child labour remains hidden from public view, making the problem seem less of a priority.  

The International Labour Organization is spearheading worldwide action to combat child labour, particularly its worst forms. It has been working closely with governments and workers’ and employers’ organizations of its member States to ensure that international treaties on child labour, such as ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour and ILO Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age for Employment,  are adopted and applied in national legislation and programmes.  

In the Caribbean, work on child labour was initiated in 2000-2001 when the ILO Subregional Office for the Caribbean launched its Regional Child Labour Project and the Government of Jamaica signed an agreement with the ILO to prevent and eliminate the worst forms of child labour in that country.  

The project has prompted many governments to initiate action against child labour, including the initial step of ratifying the relevant ILO Conventions. Already twelve Caribbean member States have ratified ILO Convention No. 182 and nine member States have ratified ILO Convention No. 138.  

This website provides valuable information on the work undertaken by the Regional Child Labour Project as well as highlights the efforts of Caribbean countries in their plight to prevent and eliminate the worst forms of child labour.