Ministry Sensitizing Law Enforcers About Child Labour

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), has embarked on several initiatives, aimed at sensitizing law enforcers about the ongoing issue of child labour in Jamaica.

Project Officer of ILO TACKLE in Jamaica, Nasolo Thompson,said many persons, including law enforcers, are not fully aware of the issue of child labour in Jamaica, and how it should be dealt with legally, hence the rationale behind the move.

Mrs. Thompson was addressing a meeting involving stakeholders of the TACKLE Project, held recently at the Ministry’s North Street Office, in Kingston.

“We are currently offering support to the Ministry to develop a national child labour policy. We have also conducted research among the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to determine what are their attitude and practices towards child labour. Based on the results from the research, we have developed a training manual to address some of the gaps indentified, which will be incorporated into the JCF’s training programme,” she said.

Mrs. Thompson cited a research manual that was developed, in collaboration with the office of the Chief Justice, which outlines what child labour is, the national laws that apply, and case examples from other countries, demonstrating how it can be dealt with lawfully.

“What we have come to realize is that judges and lawyers have their ethics that they are guided.by. So we are working to have a comprehensive child labour document that they can refer to, in the event of a case,” she explained.

The TACKLE Project Officer said, in reality, the first responders of child labour must be identified, in order for a case to be brought before the court, from encounter through to resolution.

“We are anticipating that the JCF, judges, lawyers, prosecutors, parole officers, court clerks, guidance counsellors, social workers, and teachers will have a greater understanding of the issue, because these people really make up the core of first responders in any given scenario,” Mrs. Thompson said.

“We want people to be sensitized about child labour, so if a child is seen in a particular setting that looks like he or she is being exploited, then it should raise some red flags, and persons will be prompted to report such a case,” she emphasised.

The TACKLE project, which is an initiative of the ILO, in collaboration with the Child Labour Unit (CLU) of the Ministry, seeks to address child labour through education, and is ongoing.

To report cases of child labour, persons can contact the Child Labour Unit at 948-0098, or the Ministry at 922-9500-14.

Contact: Jeneva Gordon