Message by the Hon. Minister of Labour
Mr. Manzoor Nadir, M.P.
Today, June 12, Guyana joins the International Labour Organization and over 160 countries in observing World Day Against Child Labour.

Worldwide, millions of children have their future compromised because they are forced to work. While a lot of our Guyanese children are not in this category, we do have many concerns regarding the full development of our children.

Unequivocally, the Government of Guyana abhors any form of child work that will prevent our children from getting an education and from enjoying a reasonable amount of leisure and play.

Over the years the PPP/C Government has embarked on numerous initiatives that increased the access of our children to education. This has been done not only through investments in the education system but also by providing assistance to vulnerable children through the school uniforms programme and the school-feeding programmes.

Through the Labour department, Government has also raised the age of employment of our children to fifteen years and increased the surveillance process at worksites to detect and deter the instances of Child Labour.

Through the Ministries of Education and “Labour portfolio” two programmes with international assistance have been implemented – The EDUCARE Project (2005 to 2009) funded through the United States Department of Labour and the TACKLE Project (2009 to 2011). These programmes are designed to influence more parents to ensure that their children get an education by staying in school.

Government by more aggressive initiatives from the Labour Department, the Child Protection Agency and the Ministry of Education (Truancy Unit) will step up to the task of policing our anti-child labour policies. But to effectively fight and eliminate and vestige of child labour in our society, we need our people to change attitudes.

The employer, who feels that they are helping a family by employing a child, is hurting and harming rather than helping. The parent who cares for his or her child must nurture that child on a solid dose of education re-enforced by regularity and punctuality at school.

Workers and neighbours should become involved to report on those who will compromise the laws and the norms.

We can end all forms of child labour, but we must care enough and act together.