Jamaica Reaffirms Commitment to Ending Child Labour

A delegation from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security represented Jamaica at the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, held from February 11 to 13 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

The conference brought together global leaders, policymakers, and advocates to address the urgent challenge of child labour, which continues to affect an estimated 138 million children worldwide.

Jamaica’s participation, led by Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Gillian Corrodus, served to reaffirm the nation’s unwavering dedication to eliminating child labour through strengthened social protection, effective labour inspection, expanded education access, and strategic partnerships at the national, regional, and international levels.

In his opening address, International Labour Organization (ILO) Director General, Gilbert Houngbo, underscored the gravity of the issue, noting that 59 million girls and 78 million boys remain in child labour, with 57 per cent between the ages of five and 11.

He emphasised that this reality is “not only a moral failure but also an economic one, with enduring consequences for productivity, growth, and social cohesion”.

Mr. Houngbo noted that the agriculture sector accounts for 51 per cent of child labour, underscoring the urgent need for strengthened rural development, decisive climate action, and decent working conditions for teachers who are critical pillars in the fight against child labour. He further urged governments to prioritise school-feeding programmes and decent work for adults, while ensuring girls are moved away from unpaid labour and into education.

The conference also heard from youth voices, including 15-year-old Mohammed Amine Lamgari, a representative of Morocco’s Children’s Parliament, who stressed the importance of coordinated efforts across government institutions, civil society, and youth organisations to safeguard the well-being and protection of every child.

Regional perspectives were shared by employer representative from Trinidad and Tobago, Ronald Ramlogan, who recognised Jamaica’s Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) as a best practice in child-labour prevention.

Administered by the Ministry, PATH provides conditional cash transfers to vulnerable families, supports school-feeding initiatives, and mandates school attendance, thereby addressing poverty and strengthening education access as preventive measures against child labour. Jamaica’s participation in Marrakesh followed the contribution of portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., in the Caribbean sub-regional discussions under the theme ‘Key Alliances for the Elimination of Child Labour: Prevention as a Pathway to Eradication’.

At that forum, the Minister highlighted Jamaica’s pioneering use of the Child Labour Risk Identification Model (CLRISK), an evidence-based tool developed by the ILO to support targeted community-level interventions.

Jamaica is the first Caribbean country to utilise CLRISK in support of its National Action Plan for Combatting Child Labour, and its experience has been recognised as a model for the region.

The Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour concluded on February 13 with the adoption of the Marrakesh Declaration for the Elimination of Child Labour, reflecting the collective commitment of global leaders to intensify efforts against this persistent challenge.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security remains resolute in advancing Jamaica’s leadership role in the global movement to eradicate child labour, ensuring that every child is protected, empowered, and given the opportunity to thrive.