THE issue of exploitation of children is one which is obviously of great concern to the APNU+AFC administration. This fact is not surprising, given President David Granger’s observation that today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. As such, His Excellency has repeatedly emphasised that young Guyanese must be given every opportunity to succeed. They must have access to education, be given opportunities to satisfying and gainful employment, and, ultimately, have the chance to live rewarding, productive, and happy lives. Unfortunately, though, too many of Guyana’s children are being robbed of their childhood because of poverty, cultural issues, or other matters; too many Guyanese children are forced into the labour market. The APNU+AFC administration has, to its credit, taken a stand to end the practice; the coalition has, admirably, vowed to ensure that children have the opportunity to enjoy childhood.
Child labour is the exploitation of children through any form of work that deprives them of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and is mentally, physically, socially or morally harmful to the child. Child Labour is against international law. Additionally, almost every country worldwide prohibits children from having to work. That fact is a result of the universal recognition that children are entitled to enjoy their childhood. They have a right to have the opportunity to obtain an education, engage in play, and otherwise do the things that children do; they should not be forced to work in order to get a meal or have shelter.
Child labour is a major problem. In developing countries; about one quarter of all children are forced to work. That alarming statistic is even more pronounced in some of the world’s poorest countries, where some half of the children must work in order to get a meal in the day or shelter for the night. Clearly, this is an unacceptable reality, and we must work, at all levels, to put an end to it.
Guyana is one of the developing countries that are plagued by the problem. According to a United Nations children’s Fund (UNICEF) 2016 report, the total child labour prevalence in Guyana for children 5 to 7 years old is 18.3 per cent. Fortuitously, though, since June 2015 when the APNU+AFC coalition was elected to office, Guyana has had a government that is committed to facilitating and fostering the conditions for all Guyanese, including children, to enjoy a ‘good life.’ Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Mr. Keith Scott, makes clear that the Government of Guyana has a zero-tolerance policy pertaining to any form of child exploitation.
Minister Scott said that, children in Guyana are experiencing some of the worst forms of child labour based upon the need for survival for not only themselves, but also for their families. The minister said that the Government of Guyana, in its pursuit to eradicate child labour by 2025, has implemented a policy that will note the enacting of various relevant laws. Adults who prey on the vulnerabilities of children are the ones who cause this problem. The policy was developed with the thought of youth and youth empowerment in mind.
Minister Scott elaborated that the objective of the policy is to provide the nation with skilled youths in a wide variety of disciplines, which will allow them to take their rightful places in our economic ventures.
The minister said too, that additionally, the policy seeks to address the most vulnerable areas that are affected by child labour in terms of not just child-victims, but also adult-perpetrators. He explained that child labour often occurs because of poverty, lack of compulsory education, and the repression of workers’ rights. Therefore, in order to combat this ill, a multifaceted approach is required to effectively address the causes of the issue. Obviously, child labour may result in a myriad of social deficits.
Children are exposed to accidents and injuries at the workplace; sexual abuse and exploitation of girls is also prevalent among child workers; this can often result in many economic and social issues. The sexual exploitation of young girls due to child labour often causes unplanned pregnancies, risky abortions, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), alcoholism and other social problems.
Further, the lack of schooling for many of these young children that are subjected to unjust labour perpetuates poverty and dependency. The ministry’s policy, in hopes of eradicating child labour by 2025, is anticipating a reduction in the many issues that are often brought on with the ill.
The minister conveyed that the policy implemented is one that will assess and combat the issue of child labour. The policy is expected to target the employment of children younger than the age of compulsory school completion. Families will also be targeted in the ministry’s policy to eliminate child labour by 2025.
Government is taking the matter seriously. Just yesterday, April 27, the administration launched Guyana’s National Policy on Child Labour and National Policy on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). The intertwined policies were announced at the Marriott Hotel and the initiatives will push Guyana towards the elimination of child labour and will promote and improve the quality of life and safety of all workers.
Guyana’s government has committed itself to the elimination of child labour by 2025, in accordance with target 8.7 of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). All Guyanese will certainly agree that children deserve the opportunity to enjoy their childhood. They too, are entitled to a good life. They must be given the chance to become educated, so that they can have fulfilling lives. They must be allowed to simply be children. As adults, we are obligated to ensuring that our children are happy.
