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Child labour continues to exist throughout the world
and even right here in the Caribbean.
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 World
Day Against Child Labour, 12 June
The World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL), which is
observed worldwide on the 12th June every
year, is
intended to serve as a catalyst for the growing
worldwide movement against child labour. The WDACL has often focused
on one of the “Worst Forms of Child labour”
listed in Convention No.182. This year's WDACL focuses on the
elimination of child labour in agriculture which accounts for a
staggering percentage of the world's working children and is one of
the most dangerous forms of work for children and adults alike.
MORE...
International Programme for the Elimination of Child
Labour (IPEC) |
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 VIDEO:
Does
child labour exist in the Caribbean? This is a question often asked in light of
the ILO’s worldwide campaign to prevent and eradicate child labour. Based on
research conducted by the ILO Subregional Office for the Caribbean during
2002-2003, a
video documentary explores the issues surrounding child labour in the
region. To view a 3-minute feature of the 20-minute video documentary, please
click here. |
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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 which
ended in March 2008, as well
as highlights the efforts of Caribbean countries in their plight to prevent and
eliminate the worst forms of child labour.
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