The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) joins with our social partners, and indeed all Guyanese, as we observe the World Day against Child Labour which brings into focus the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it. The FITUG is aware that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by world leaders in 2015, include a renewed global commitment to ending child labour. Specifically, target 8.7 the SDG calls on the global community to: “Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.”
The FITUG was dismayed to learn, from ILO statistics, that globally 218 million children between ages 5 and 17 years are in employment of which 73 million, perform hazardous tasks. We noted too that child labour is concentrated primarily in agriculture (71%), which includes fishing, forestry, livestock herding and aquaculture, and comprises both subsistence and commercial farming; 17% in services; and 12% in the industrial sector, including mining.
Locally, we have seen disturbing data which indicates that children as young as 5 years old are employed. The most recently available National Child Labour Rapid Assessment Survey frighteningly found that children in Guyana are engaged in the worst forms of child labour, including in dangerous activities in agriculture. Children working in agriculture in Guyana may be exposed to hazards, including lifting and carrying heavy loads and working with pesticides. Many Guyanese children work in domestic service and on the streets, typically as vendors or beggars. The practice of sending children from poor rural families to live with wealthier relatives or friends in urban areas sometimes results in domestic servitude. Children employed as domestics may work long hours and are isolated in private homes, where they are susceptible to physical and sexual abuse. Children working on the streets are vulnerable to severe weather, traffic accidents and crime.
The facts are alarming and the situation is saddening. We are aware that sometime has elapsed since the last survey was concluded and, at this time, cannot help but wonder what is prevailing now-a-days. The massive ballooning of the unemployed in our country in recent times cannot be helpful in staunching the prevalence of child labour. Today, they may very well be instances of children having to take up odd jobs in order to support their families following the loss of jobs of their main breadwinner. The FITUG believes this is a situation that our people cannot take any pride in and nor should it be countenanced.
As we once again observe this important day, we urge a redoubling of our efforts to work towards achieving the SDG in this regard. Child labour, in the long run, is not in the interest of our country, our people, and most of all the children involved.
