USDOL – US Department of Labor (Author): “2021 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor: Jamaica”, Document #2082750

2021 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor: Jamaica

Moderate Advancement

In 2021, Jamaica made moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The government amended its Trafficking in Persons Act by removing the option of fines as punishment for certain severe offenses, such as commercial sexual exploitation of children, and increasing the maximum fine for other offenses. It also launched a 211 hotline to replace the previous 888-PROTECT line, making it easier for the public to report child labor cases. Moreover, 150 justices were trained on how to identify and report suspected cases of trafficking, including child trafficking and child labor violations. However, children in Jamaica are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking, and use in illicit activities. Children also perform dangerous tasks in agriculture and street work. Although the government made meaningful efforts in all relevant areas during the reporting period, its laws do not provide higher penalties for using, procuring, or offering children for the production and distribution of drugs than penalties imposed for these same crimes when the victims are adults. Moreover, the number of labor inspectors is insufficient for the size of Jamaica's workforce.

I. Prevalence and Sectoral Distribution of Child Labor

Children in Jamaica are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking, and use in illicit activities. (1) Children also perform dangerous tasks in agriculture and street work. (2) Table 1 provides key indicators on children’s work and education in Jamaica.

**Table 1. Statistics on Children's Work and Education**
Children	Age	Percent
Working (% and population)	5 to 14	6.2 (30,111)
Working children by sector	5 to 14
Agriculture		16.5
Industry		2.9
Services		80.6
Attending School (%)	5 to 14	98.9
Combining Work and School (%)	7 to 14	7.2
Primary Completion Rate (%)		76.9

Source for primary completion rate: Data from 2019, published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2022. (3)
Source for all other data: International Labor Organization’s analysis of statistics from Jamaica Youth Activity Survey (SIMPOC), 2016. (4)

Based on a review of available information, Table 2 provides an overview of children's work by sector and activity.

**Table 2. Overview of Children's Work by Sector and Activity**
Sector/Industry	Activity
Agriculture	Farming,† activities unknown (1,2,5)
	Fishing, activities unknown (2,6)
Industry	Construction† (7,8)
Services	Working in shops and markets (1,5,9)
	Domestic work (1,5,9,10)
	Street work, including begging† and vending (5,10-12)
	Wholesale and retail (2)
Categorical Worst Forms of Child Labor‡	Commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking (1,5,10,14)
	Forced domestic work (5,11,15,16)
	Use in illicit activities, including executing financial scams and serving as drug and gun couriers (1,9,10,14,17,18)

† Determined by national law or regulation as hazardous and, as such, relevant to Article 3(d) of ILO C. 182.
‡ Child labor understood as the worst forms of child labor per se under Article 3(a)–(c) of ILO C. 182.

Jamaica is a destination and source country for commercial sexual exploitation of children, particularly in or near the tourist attractions of Negril, Montego Bay, and certain urban areas of Kingston. (1,5) Cases typically involved young girls from poor urban and rural households trafficked to engage in commercial sexual exploitation in brothels, nightclubs, massage parlors, and strip clubs. Recently, victims were lured by social media or false jobs in popular newspaper advertisements. (1) Young girls, immigrant children, LGBTQI+ youth, children from poor families, and children from rural areas are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. (11,15) Many of the LGBTQI+ youth were minors fleeing their families or communities in fear of persecution or bullying. (11)

Children also continue to be recruited by criminal organizations to engage in illicit activities, such as gang violence, drug and gun smuggling, and financial fraud, including lottery scamming. (1,16) Some child domestic workers are subjected to domestic servitude, and some children are subjected to forced begging. Many children are reported missing in Jamaica, some of whom may be subjected to forced labor. (16) Reports showed that forced child labor across sectors increased during the reporting year due to the economic downturn and school closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. (1)

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica and the ILO released the results of the Jamaica National Youth Activity Survey, which estimated that 37,965 children between ages 5 to 17 are engaged in child labor in Jamaica, with 68.6 percent engaged in hazardous work. Children are engaged in hazardous work primarily in the domestic work sector, in agriculture and fishing, in the wholesale and retail sectors, and in construction. (2) Children in rural areas are more likely to work than their urban counterparts; they are also more likely to work more hours and to engage in hazardous work. (2)

Moreover, the cost for transportation, food, books, and uniforms creates barriers to education for some children. (19,20) Government officials and education professionals in Jamaica reported a significant divide between traditional and non-traditional schools, in which the latter purportedly left students without adequate education, training, and certification, perpetuating a cycle of poverty. (1) The government closed schools due to the pandemic from March 2020 to November 2021, with some schools closed through the end of 2021. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information reported that approximately 120,000 students disengaged from school during the pandemic. (1,21)

II. Legal Framework for Child Labor

Jamaica has ratified all key international conventions concerning child labor (Table 3).

**Table 3. Ratification of International Conventions on Child Labor**
Convention	Ratification
ILO C. 138, Minimum Age	✓
ILO C. 182, Worst Forms of Child Labor	✓
UN CRC	✓
UN CRC Optional Protocol on Armed Conflict	✓
UN CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography	✓
Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons	✓

The government has established laws and regulations related to child labor (Table 4). However, gaps exist in Jamaica’s legal framework to adequately protect children from the worst forms of child labor, including a lack of prohibition of military recruitment by non-state armed groups.

**Table 4. Laws and Regulations on Child Labor**
Standard	Meets International Standards	Age	Legislation
Minimum Age for Work	Yes	15	Articles 34(1) and 36 of the Child Care and Protection Act (22)
Minimum Age for Hazardous Work	Yes	18	Articles 34(3) and 36 of the Child Care and Protection Act (22)
Identification of Hazardous Occupations or Activities Prohibited for Children	Yes		Articles 34(3)(b), 39, and 41 of the Child Care and Protection Act; Section 55 of the Factories Act: Docks (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulations; Section 49(2) of the Factories Act: Building Operations and Works of Engineering Construction Regulations; Section 18 of the Mining Act (22-25)
Prohibition of Forced Labor	Yes		Sections 2, 4, and 4A of the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) Act; Section 2 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment (Amendment) Act, 2021 (26,27)
Prohibition of Child Trafficking	Yes		Section 10 of the Child Care and Protection Act; Sections 2, 4, and 4A of the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) Act; Section 2 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) (Amendment) Act, 2021 (22,26,27)
Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children	No		Sections 2, 4, and 4A of the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) Act; Sections 18, 21 and 36 of the Sexual Offences Act; Sections 3–4 of the Child Pornography (Prevention) Act (26-29)
Prohibition of Using Children in Illicit Activities	No		Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organizations) Act (28)
Minimum Age for Voluntary State Military Recruitment	Yes	18	Section 18(2) of the Defense Act (29)
Prohibition of Compulsory Recruitment of Children by (State) Military	N/A*
Prohibition of Military Recruitment by Non-state Armed Groups	No
Compulsory Education Age	Yes	16	Sections 28 and 89 of the Child Care and Protection Act(22)
Free Public Education	No		Section 13(k) of the Jamaican Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms (30)

* Country has no conscription (26)

Jamaica does not meet the international standard for free public education as free education is only guaranteed for Jamaican citizens, thereby leaving those without citizenship vulnerable to child labor. (30)

In November 2021, the government amended its Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) Act, which removed the option of fines as punishment for certain severe offenses such as commercial sexual trafficking and increased maximum fines for other offenses. (1) Jamaica prohibits a child below the age of 13 from engaging in work for economic gain; however, it allows children ages 13 to 14 to engage in some limited forms of light work involving fewer hours or less physically intensive labor. Jamaica allows for formal employment beginning from age 15. (1,22)

Jamaican laws do not sufficiently prohibit commercial sexual exploitation because the law does not criminalize use of a child for prostitution. Additionally, the laws related to use of children in illicit activities do not specifically include higher penalties for perpetrators who use, procure, or offer a child for the production and distribution of drugs. (22,31) Moreover, Jamaican law does not criminally prohibit military recruitment of children under age 18 by non-state armed groups.

The Occupational Safety and Health Bill was expected to be passed by parliament during the reporting year, but it still has not been passed. It is anticipated that the bill, if passed, will specify light work activities that are permitted for children ages 13 and 14. (11,32)

III. Enforcement of Laws on Child Labor

The government has established institutional mechanisms for the enforcement of laws and regulations on child labor (Table 5). However, gaps exist within the authority of enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate enforcement of their child labor laws.

**Table 5. Agencies Responsible for Child Labor Law Enforcement**
Organization/Agency	Role
Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS)	Enforces and administers child labor laws through the labor inspectorate, in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy. The Child Labor Unit within MLSS coordinates and shares information with other agencies to address child labor issues. (7) Minister for Labor Karl Samuda represented Jamaica in ILO's International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor launch event, which included an online poster competition to raise awareness of child labor concerns. (1)
Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA)	Monitors and investigates suspected child labor violations and oversees efforts to address child labor. Housed within the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information. (19) Receives complaints of child abuse, child labor, child trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation of children through a hotline and refers suspected cases of child abuse to law enforcement. (7,19,33) During the reporting year, launched a new 211 hotline to replace the previous 888-PROTECT line for reporting child trafficking and abuse. (1) Also established an internal child trafficking technical advisory committee that oversaw the piloting and launch of the National Referral Mechanism on Child Trafficking (launched December 2021) and a screening tool, which includes agency‐specific child trafficking indicators for identifying child trafficking victims locally, an intake and biodata form, and case management forms. Moreover, trained 83 members of its personnel, including Registration/Intake Officers, Investigators Officers, and Supervisors and launched a Trafficking in Persons Handbook designed to increase knowledge of trafficking in persons across ministries, departments, and agencies. (33)
Office of the Children’s Advocate	Investigates reports of child abuse and partners with other agencies, including CPFSA and the police, to promote protection of children and address child labor. (7)
Jamaica Constabulary Force	Enforces criminal laws, including those related to the worst forms of child labor. Investigates, through the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit, cases of child trafficking, forced child labor, commercial sexual exploitation, and the use of children in illicit activities in which trafficking is involved. Through the Center for the Investigation of Sexual Offenses and Child Abuse, investigates cases of child and sexual offenses, and educates the public about sexual offenses against children. (7)
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions	Prosecutes cases involving the worst forms of child labor. Protects and promotes human rights for all citizens. (34)
Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons	Monitors government efforts to protect human trafficking survivors, prosecute cases, and implement preventative measures. (11) As a commission of parliament, holds a unique position in analyzing regulations, observing compliance, and compiling data for official reports back to the legislative branch of the government. These reports are, in turn, considered by parliament for amendments or new bills. (1)
Ministry of Justice Victim Services Division	Provides emotional support, crisis management, and special intervention projects for children and adults. Assists child crime survivors through the Children in Court Program, which offers survivors access to social workers and counselors. (35)

In 2021, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) identified 25 cases of suspected child trafficking and referred them to the Jamaica Constabulary Force for investigation. Of these cases, 14 were received through the child abuse hotline. (33)

Labor Law Enforcement

In 2021, labor law enforcement agencies in Jamaica took actions to address child labor (Table 6). However, gaps exist within the authority of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS) that may hinder adequate labor law enforcement, including lack of a mechanism to assess civil penalties.

**Table 6. Labor Law Enforcement Efforts Related to Child Labor**
Overview of Labor Law Enforcement	2020	2021
Labor Inspectorate Funding	$3,144,000 (36)	$3,200,000 (1)
Number of Labor Inspectors	39 (37)	39 (37)
Mechanism to Assess Civil Penalties	Yes (22,38)	Yes (22,38)
Initial Training for New Labor Inspectors	N/A (36)	N/A (1)
Training on New Laws Related to Child Labor	N/A (36)	N/A (1)
Refresher Courses Provided	Yes (1,5,36)	Yes (1)
Number of Labor Inspections Conducted	2,669 (36)	2,328 (1)
Number Conducted at Worksite	1,821 (36)	1,679 (1)
Number of Child Labor Violations Found	6 (36)	0 (1)
Number of Child Labor Violations for Which Penalties Were Imposed	0 (36)	N/A (1)
Number of Child Labor Penalties Imposed that Were Collected	N/A (36)	N/A (1)
Routine Inspections Conducted	Yes (5)	Yes (1)
Routine Inspections Targeted	Yes (5)	Yes (1)
Unannounced Inspections Permitted	Yes (38)	Yes (38)
Unannounced Inspections Conducted	Yes (36)	Yes (1)
Complaint Mechanism Exists	Yes (5)	Yes (1)
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Labor Authorities and Social Services	Yes (5,36)	Yes (1)

Labor inspectors engage in annual awareness raising sessions focused on child labor, human trafficking, and standard operating procedures. (36)

The number of labor inspectors is insufficient for the size of Jamaica's workforce, which includes approximately 1,263,000 workers. According to the ILO’s technical advice of a ratio approaching 1 inspector for every 15,000 workers in developing economies, Jamaica would need to employ 84 labor inspectors. (39) Inspectors are not allowed to enter and inspect private residences; however, labor inspectors may coordinate visits with social workers who are allowed to enter private residences and are trained to watch for indicators of child labor. (1) Inspectors do not have authority to assess penalties, but if a labor inspector observes a suspected child labor violation during an inspection, the case is referred to the MLSS Child Labor Unit for investigation and possible referral for legal action through the courts. Fines and penalties can be levied or collected upon summary conviction in court. (1,5,22,38)

Though there are reports of increased prevalence of child labor during the reporting period, inspectors identified no child labor violations. The MLSS developed a new General Compliance Inspection Form during the reporting period to enable greater volume and standardization of inspections, which will be implemented in 2022. (1)

Criminal Law Enforcement

In 2021, the government’s criminal law enforcement agencies appeared to function adequately in addressing child labor (Table 7).

**Table 7. Criminal Law Enforcement Efforts Related to Child Labor**
Overview of Criminal Law Enforcement	2020	2021
Initial Training for New Criminal Investigators	Yes (5,36)	Yes (1)
Training on New Laws Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor	N/A (5,36)	N/A (1)
Refresher Courses Provided	Yes (36)	Yes (1)
Number of Investigations	28 (36)	28 (1)
Number of Violations Found	8 (36)	6 (1)
Number of Prosecutions Initiated	2 (36)	3 (1)
Number of Convictions	1 (36)	2 (1)
Imposed Penalties for Violations Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor	N/A (36)	Yes (1)
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Criminal Authorities and Social Services	Yes (5,36)	Yes (1)

During the reporting period, the Child Protection Compact Partnership (CPC Partnership), USDOS, and Jamaica's Ministry of National Security jointly launched Jamaica’s first child‐friendly space in Falmouth, which focuses on delivering a multidisciplinary and trauma‐informed response, including examination, interviews and referrals for appropriate care and services. The space aims to serve children who are removed from human trafficking (domestic servitude, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor and forced illicit activity by gangs) or other serious crimes. (33) Additionally, the government reported that 75 percent of criminal investigators assigned to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit (A-TIP) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force received virtual training on child labor and child trafficking. (1)

In 2021, A-TIP conducted 25 investigations in response to reports of potential child trafficking, as well as 36 proactive surveillance operations of high-risk locations (truck stops, construction sites, and resorts) for trafficking or exploitation of children. (1,33) Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigations Branch also investigated eight reports of commercial sexual exploitation of children. (1) During the reporting period, the government identified six children as victims of sex trafficking, after which it provided them services. (33) Moreover, the government prosecuted four individuals in three cases under the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Act in 2021, which resulted in two convictions. In particular, the government entered into a plea agreement with two defendants from a 2010 child sex trafficking case, allowing two nightclub owners to pay fines of $13,132 and $5,252, respectively, in lieu of prison time for forcing a girl they brought from Guyana to dance and have sex with patrons in their facility. (33)

Jamaica’s National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons and Child Advocate reported that it had discovered anecdotal evidence suggesting complicity of police officers in sexual exploitation rings operating under the guise of massage parlors. The government did not investigate these allegations during the reporting period. (33)

IV. Coordination of Government Efforts on Child Labor

The government has established mechanisms to coordinate its efforts to address child labor (Table 8). However, gaps exist that hinder the effective coordination of efforts to address child labor, including clarity of institutional mandates.

**Table 8. Key Mechanisms to Coordinate Government Efforts on Child Labor**
Coordinating Body	Role & Description
MLSS Program for the Elimination of Child Labor	Coordinates the government’s child labor policies and programs and identifies gaps in legislation across ministries. Collaborates with other ministries and agencies, such as the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, CPFSA, the Ministry of Justice's National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP), and the Ministry of National Security, to address gaps in legislation. (36,40) During the reporting period, supported a data visualization and vulnerability mapping project using the ILO's Child Labor Risk Identification model. (37)
National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP)	Facilitates information exchanges between government agencies and external stakeholders and creates momentum for counter-trafficking efforts. Led by the Ministry of National Security, includes ministries and agencies across the government. (7,41) Oversees implementation of the country’s National Plan of Action to Combat Human Trafficking. (33) Meets regularly with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and relevant ministries. (6,7) With the support of the U.S.-Jamaica Child Protection Compact, developed a child trafficking screening toolkit, a set of screening tools to outline behavioral, situational, and health factors that indicate a child is being exploited. (40) Held bi-monthly coordination sessions virtually during 2021. (33) Various agencies that are members of NATFATIP executed an MOU designed to provide more a comprehensive system to regularly share data among stakeholders. (1) During the reporting period, held public awareness campaigns, which included sensitization trainings at local high schools, and a weekly public service announcement on reporting human trafficking. In addition, increased partnership with the Radio Jamaica Cross Country Invasion program by conducting radio and television interviews, distributing materials at broadcast locations and publishing in newspapers. (33)
National Steering Committee on Child Labor	Provides leadership, shares information, and guides the development of policies and programs geared toward eliminating the worst forms of child labor, including the National Plan of Action. (36,37,42) The committee was functioning during 2021, but no activities were reported. (37)

During the reporting period, 150 Justices of the Peace from Manchester and St. Andrew parishes were trained on how to identify and report suspected cases of human trafficking, including child trafficking and child labor violations. (1)

Although the Child Protection and Family Services Agency has assumed coordinating functions between various agencies charged with protecting children, the organization is not mandated or fully resourced to play this role. Jamaica lacks an effective central agency to coordinate efforts to address the challenges posed by child labor, human trafficking, and other child-related issues. (11)

V. Government Policies on Child Labor

The government has established policies related to child labor (Table 9). However, policy gaps exist that hinder efforts to address child labor, including mainstreaming child labor issues into relevant policies.

**Table 9. Key Policies Related to Child Labor**
Policy	Description
National Plan of Action for Combatting Trafficking in Persons (2018–2021)	Identifies objectives, actions, and responsible agencies to prevent and eliminate trafficking in persons, including commercial sexual exploitation of children and forced child labor, through prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships. (19,43) During the reporting period, conducted 9 sensitization sessions and 10 outreach workshops. Sessions were provided for MLSS officials, union representatives, and other relevant stakeholders, as well as the broader community in Kingston to sensitize members of the public to child labor and trafficking in persons concerns. (1) Sessions included discussions of international child labor standards and conventions, trafficking in persons, child labor statistics in Jamaica, and the role of government agencies in addressing child trafficking and labor violations. (1)
National Plan of Action for an Integrated Response to Children and Violence (NPACV)	Provides a coordinated and structured approach to addressing the key issues and challenges pertaining to children as victims, perpetrators, and witnesses of acts of violence and abuse. (33) Outlines a range of strategies and programs that will be implemented over 5 years across multiple stages in a child's life. The NPACV is implemented, monitored, and evaluated by an Inter-Sectoral Committee on Children and Violence. (5) During the reporting period, the plan was revised. (33)

The Ministry of National Security sponsored and hosted public awareness campaigns, including virtual discussions on child labor with the Jamaica Constabulary Force and MLSS, radio conversations on child protection during the pandemic, and social media discussions on how to safeguard children against human trafficking with CPFSA. The Ministry of National Security also conducted trainings on identifying potential survivors of trafficking in persons and available referral mechanisms for approximately 60 customs officers. (1)

During the reporting period, the government hired consultants to create vulnerability maps for various parishes and constituencies using the ILO's Child Labor Risk Identification model. The government intends to use this information to proactively identify and provide services to children and families at risk of becoming victims of trafficking in persons. (1)

While there are some policies in place, research indicates that existing policies do not fully address the scope and magnitude of the problem, including the worst forms of child labor. (1,11)

VI. Social Programs to Address Child Labor

In 2021, the government funded and participated in programs that include the goal of eliminating or preventing child labor (Table 10). However, gaps exist in these social programs, including the inadequacy of programs to address the full scope of the problem.

**Table 10. Key Social Programs to Address Child Labor**
Program	Description
Program for Advancement through Health and Education†	Government of Jamaica and World Bank-funded conditional cash transfer program launched in 2002 that helps reduce child labor by requiring participants to attend school at least 85 percent of the academic days in a month. (1,7,44,45) Expanded funding during the reporting period to $34 million and provided support to about 200,000 children during the reporting period. (1) Provided nutritional support for children who previously received subsidized meals at school and provided back-to-school stipends for school-aged children beginning in September 2021. (1)
Trafficking in Persons Club in School Program†	Launched by NATFATIP in October 2019 and implemented by the Ministry of National Security, the program is designed to provide information, exposure, and knowledge to students and teachers regarding child trafficking to help protect them from becoming victims. (1,7) Research was unable to determine whether activities were undertaken to implement the Trafficking in Persons Club in School Program during the reporting period. (1)
Regional Initiative Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labor (2022–2025)	Developed as an intergovernmental cooperation platform made up of 30 countries, with active participation of employers' and workers' organizations. (46) Seeks to declare Latin America and the Caribbean as the first developing region free of child labor by 2025. (47) Drawing on the knowledge, experience, and accumulated capacity of key public and private actors, aims to address the persistence of child work. During the reporting period, reestablished multi-sectoral, national steering committee and continued to pursue training and capacity building actions to augment the coordinated planning and practical interventions to address the social and economic root causes of child labor. (47)
U.S.-Jamaica Child Protection Compact Partnership (CPC Partnership) (2018–2022)	Jointly developed 4-year plan partially funded by the U.S. Government to enhance the efforts of the Government of Jamaica to address child trafficking. Commits Jamaica to providing staff and resources to fulfill the project's objectives. (15) Formally launched in 2019 with implementing partners Warnath, Winrock, IOM, and Encompass, and began activities and training across the island. (7) Launched a handbook on human trafficking in December 2021 that explains human trafficking, discusses indicators and red flags, and provides a screening tool for use by ministries or other stakeholders. (1) Funding increased through July 2023. (47)

† Program is funded by the Government of Jamaica.
‡ The government had other social programs that may have included the goal of eliminating or preventing child labor. (48-50)

The Ministry of National Security hosted activities during World Day Against Trafficking in Persons that included sensitization sessions with the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, radio and television interviews, and a virtual town hall that was streamed on social media platforms. (33)

During the reporting period, CPFSA finalized a Study of Children Living and Working on the Streets of Jamaica, which was produced as part of the USDOL-funded CLEAR II initiative. (1) The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information also signed an MOU with the IOM to support a study of the prevalence of child trafficking in Jamaica, conducted under the CPC Partnership. (33)

The National Children's Registry hotline received approximately 4,700 calls during the reporting period, 329 of which were specifically related to child labor. The registry referred 366 reports of potential child labor violations to CPFSA for further investigation. (1)

Although Jamaica funds education-related social programs, current resources are insufficient, and social programs do not fully address the scope and magnitude of the problem, including the worst forms of child labor. (11) Research found no evidence of programs targeting children working in agriculture, street work, commercial sexual exploitation, and other worst forms of child labor.

VII. Suggested Government Actions to Eliminate Child Labor

Based on the reporting above, suggested actions are identified that would advance the elimination of child labor in Jamaica (Table 11).

**Table 11. Suggested Government Actions to Eliminate Child Labor**
Area	Suggested Action	Year(s) Suggested
Legal Framework	Ensure that legislation includes higher penalties for the use of children for the production and distribution of drugs.	2009 – 2021
	Ensure that the law criminally prohibits the recruitment of children under age 18 by non-state armed groups.	2016 – 2021
	Ensure that legislation criminally prohibits the use of a child for prostitution.	2021
	Ensure that the age up to which education is compulsory is defined in law and is the same as the minimum age for work.	2021
	Establish by law that free basic public education is available to all children, regardless of citizenship.	2021
	Pass legislation that will determine the specific light work activities and hours permissible for children ages 13 and 14 to facilitate enforcement.	2014 – 2021
Enforcement	Ensure enforcement of child labor laws for hazardous work, particularly in domestic work, agriculture, fishing, construction, wholesale, and retail sectors.	2021
	Increase the number of labor inspectors to meet the ILO's technical guidance.	2021
Coordination	Ensure that the Child Protection and Family Services Agency and any other relevant agency or coordinating body has the authority and resources necessary to effectively coordinate between child labor, human trafficking, and other child-related issues.	2018 – 2021
	Publish and make publicly available activities undertaken by coordinating bodies to implement key policies related to child labor during the reporting period.	2021
Government Policies	Increase the integration of child labor elimination and prevention strategies into existing and future policies.	2021
Social Programs	Ensure that social programs adequately address child labor, including the worst forms of child labor, and expand programs designed to assist child laborers involved in street work, commercial sexual exploitation, agricultural work, and other worst forms of child labor, particularly in rural areas.	2013 – 2021
	Ensure that school costs, such as uniforms, books, food, and transportation, do not diminish access to free public education.	2017 – 2021
	Implement a program to report, identify, and find missing children who may have been forced into child labor.	2020 – 2021
	Publish activities undertaken to implement key programs related to child labor, including the Trafficking in Persons Club in School Program.	2021
	Ensure all students, including those at traditional and non-traditional schools, receive a high-quality education.	2021
	Conduct research to determine the activities carried out by children working in farming and fishing to inform policies and programs.	2021

References

ecoi.net description:: Annual report on child labor (covering 2021)
Country:: Jamaica
Source:: USDOL – US Department of Labor (Author)
Original link:: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/jamaica
Document type:: Periodical Report
Language:: English
Published:: 28 September 2022
Document ID:: 2082750