The Government is cracking down on child labour following an influx of reports of children under 16 working.
The Ministry of Labour is stepping up its monitoring and investigative action and is working closely with the Children’s Authority and other agencies to provide the relevant support.
The crackdown follows feedback from a perception survey which highlighted several incidents across the country of children under 16 working.
Child labour
The purpose of the survey was to raise awareness and gather information from the public on incidents, perceptions and beliefs on child labour in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Ministry reminded parents and employers that it is against the law to have a child under the age of 16 working.
Support
Staff also shared support services for families facing tough times:
- Welfare Grants and Psychosocial Support Services: Ministry of Social Development and Family Services: 800-1673.
- Psychological Counseling for children: ChildLine: 131 or 800-4321.
People can reports instances of child labour to:
- The Labour Inspectorate Unit, Ministry of Labour: 299-0300 option 3, 285-5133 option 4, or email [email protected]. Or send a message via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
- Child abuse can also be reported to the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago: 996
- Report Child Trafficking to: The Counter Trafficking Unit: 800-4288.
Human rights
Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children have rights to access education, rest and play and be protected from exploitation.
