RESIDENTS of Karawab and St. Monica in the Upper Pomeroon River, Region Two, were on Saturday engaged by Ministry of Labour officials on the issue of child labour and the detrimental emotional and physical effects it can have on children.

The Labour Ministry in continuing its outreach efforts in the region, conducted an awareness session at Karawab Primary School and St. Monica.

The significant session saw attendance from teachers, Toshaos, village councillors, and residents alike.

According to the ministry, its Chief Labour Officer, Dhaneshwar Deonarine, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the definition, causes, and consequences of child labour.

He delved into the legislative framework and Ministry initiatives aimed at combatting this issue, and emphasised the importance of community collaboration, and highlighted the key roles that community leaders, members, and stakeholders play in effectively tackling child labour.

The Chief Labour Officer encouraged parents to prioritise their children’s education to unlock the abundant opportunities available to them in the country. The residents were further urged to take advantage of the Guyana Online Academy Learning (GOAL) platform to further their academic pursuits.

Meanwhile, the ministry reiterated its steadfast commitment to partnering with stakeholders to eliminate all forms of child labour, while the head teacher of Karawab Primary School expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s visit.

According to the ministry, the head teacher underscored its significance as the first-of-its-kind in the community, and expressed hope that it would serve as a catalyst to encourage parents to ensure their children attend school regularly.

The Chief Labour Officer also affirmed that this visit marked only the beginning of continuous engagement by the Ministry.

Regional officers provided stakeholders with their contact information, fostering avenues for future collaboration in combatting child labour, the ministry added.