Gov’t Committed To Ending Child Labour

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Karl Samuda has reiterated the Government’s commitment to eliminating child labour in the country.

He was speaking at the virtual launch for the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour on June 11, under the theme, ‘Act now and End Child Labour’.

“Jamaica will continue to work with national, regional and international partners to accelerate measures to achieve Target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which speaks to the elimination of the scourge of child labour in all of it forms by 2025,” Mr. Samuda said.

Child Labour is defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), as work that deprives children of their childhood, potential and dignity.

It is also work that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children.

Reports have shown that there are approximately 38,000 children, ages five to 17 who are affected by child labour in Jamaica.

Mr. Samuda also informed that the Child Labour Risk Identification (CLRI) Model, which was developed by the ILO and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, will be implemented this year.

The CLRI provides the opportunity for countries to take a proactive approach in addressing critical issues, such as child labour.

The model will be implemented in communities based on the finalisation of the profiles and vulnerability maps that are being generated.

Meanwhile, the Minister is calling on all stakeholders to partner with the Ministry in its campaign to eliminate child labour under the theme ‘Jamaica Says NO to Child Labour’.

The ILO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) 2020 Global Estimates report which was released on June 10, show that approximately, 160 million children are engaged in child labour worldwide.