Child labour, a form of abuse, constitutes any work done by children which is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous, harmful to them and interferes with their schooling.

In Jamaica, under the Child Care and Protection Act, it is an offence to employ a child under 13 years old. The law does make an exception for children 13 to 15 years old to be employed, but they should only do light work. Children 15 and over must not be employed in night work or in any industrial or hazardous work. It is also an offence for a child to be used for indecent or immoral purposes.

According to a youth activity survey conducted in 2002 by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica , some 16,000 children are involved in some form of economic activity in Jamaica, with over 7,000 of them engaged in hazardous work.

The survey also revealed that the main child labourers were street children (including market vendors, mainly in urban areas), commercial agricultural labourers, domestic helpers and urban formal-sector workers.

metropolitan areas

The wider metropolitan areas of Kingston, Spanish Town and Montego Bay were listed as the epicentres of commerce, as well as urban child labour.

Jamaica's child labourers are predominantly male, aged 15 to 17 years. There is research to suggest that many children, particularly boys living in harsh urban communities, are pressed into gangs for whom they provide labour, while many young girls are pushed into domestic servitude to older lovers.

World Day Against Child Labour

Last Sunday, Jamaica joined the rest of the world in observing World Day Against Child Labour, under the theme: 'Children in Hazardous Work'.

Speaking recently on the issue, Chairman of the International Labour Organisation Project Advisory Board, Errol Miller, said the activity has a negative effect on children.

"By its very nature and circumstance, it either threatens to, or harms, the health, safety, well-being and morals of the children. Children in hazardous work are found in many different countries or occupations, in both developed and developing countries, essentially robbed of the opportunity to be just kids, and exposed to great risk and dangers," he said.

It is for these reasons that the Government of Jamaica is redoubling its efforts to fight this malady, that seems to have taken root in Jamaican society, he said.

Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles says the Government has been fully committed to supporting the Child Labour Unit, and enforcing the laws under the Child Care and Protection Act. He assured of the dedication of the Government to the efforts being spearheaded by the International Labour Organisation to eliminate child labour.