Report instances of child labour – Min Persaud urges citizens

Under the theme “Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour,” Guyana has joined the rest of the world in observing World Day Against Child Labour 2022.
In her message to the nation, Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud has urged citizens to report any form of child labour in their communities.

“If you have a child working for any form of compensation, according to our legislation that is considered child labour, so I’m appealing to you when you see children who are engaged in work, in labour, or you know that they are being employed or being compensated, you report that to the Ministry of Labour or the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, the Child Protection Agency,” Persaud said.
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.
Guyana has pledged to work to end child labour in the country by 2025 in keeping with target 8.7 of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Child labour continues to plague every corner of the world. In Guyana, we would definitely be ensuring that [we] utilise the opportunity to access education and that the emphasis is placed on education, recreation, and self-development opportunities as they grow up,” the Minister expressed.
The Government of Guyana has taken a proactive role in eliminating child labour; by becoming a signatory to the Latin America and the Caribbean Free Child Labour Regional Initiative, and by developing a policy surrounding child labour with the help of UNICEF that was approved by the Cabinet in December of 2018.
Guyana has also developed a national plan of action that is expected to be implemented along with the policy, both of which are critical in shaping our efforts to reduce child labour across the country.
“As we turn our attention to World Child Labour Day or the day that opposes child labour, I urge you to be very cognisant of what we’re trying to achieve and that is ensuring that children are children and are given the opportunity to grow up in a very free, safe and secure environment where every attention is given towards helping them develop into responsible adults and to have a wonderful childhood.”