IN 2023, the Ministry of Labour conducted sensitisation sessions in rural areas to educate approximately 2,612 individuals about the harmful consequences of child labour.

This was revealed at the ministry’s 2023 End of Year press conference on Tuesday.

The sessions were held in Port Kaituma and Matthews Ridge in Region One, Akawini, St. Monica, Kabakaburi, Abrams Creek, Baracara, and Karawab in Region Two, Moraikobai and Karmakatta in Region Five, Orealla and Siparuta in Region Six, and Mahdia and Iwokrama in Region Eight.

Sensitisation sessions were also organised in business areas, mining, forestry and other industrial areas, as well as more than 30 primary and secondary schools, with the aim of educating individuals, communities, and stakeholders about the detrimental effects of child labour on children’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as well as on society as a whole.

These seminars aim to foster a shared commitment to combating child labour, promoting children’s rights, and advocating for measures that protect children from exploitation while ensuring their access to education, safety, and proper development.

“The officers continue to engage communities and workplaces to ensure that child labour is not an issue in those areas. Importantly, from 2020 to 2021, we received numerous reports of child labour in the Pomeroon River, and we visited and confirmed that it did exist at the time. What I can say to you is that it has been minimised,” Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton stated.

In addition to awareness sessions, Child Labour Walks were conducted in Regions Four, Five, and Six. These walks gathered hundreds of participants from various organisations, all of which were interested in promoting and participating in these events.

Currently, one child labour matter is before the court in which the Ministry of Labour has filed charges alleging child labour (employment of a child) in violation of Section 5 (1) of the Employment of Young Persons and Children Act, Chapter 99:01.