The European Union (EU) has contributed one million euros to ‘Tackle’, a programme aimed at fighting child labour here through education, even as backers of the plan say government needs to lower the cost of living to make it effective.
Even as she heaped praise on the programme Trade Unionist Gillian Burton called for certain economic factors to be addressed if ‘Tackle’ is to achieve its objectives. Burton and other speakers argued that child labour is so entrenched in Guyanese society it is not viewed as abnormal. However, she told the audience that while she expects every worker to be an advocate for Tackle, the government must first do its part and lower the cost of living. “The government has to immediately ensure that the cost of living is lowered, VAT is removed from some basic items, the income tax threshold is [raised]…(otherwise) these things contribute to an approval of child labour in the country,” she said.
Further, she noted that boys were becoming a more vulnerable group in society and that in the light of the current socio-economic situation more children would become vulnerable. Burton said too that more attention needs to be given to the Afro-Guyanese male child who she believes is being marginalized. She said instead of becoming part of the criminal network or becoming another “Skinny or Nasty man,” young men are forced to seek a subsidized way of survival, forcing them to venture out of education, “to cope with a rapidly declining economy.”
Burton also pointed out that ‘Tackle’ would only be effective if it is implemented impartially; free from political biases. The trade unionist said too the labour movement has a role to play in sensitizing its members about the dangers of child labour and the need for the advocacy of policies in sync with International Labour Organisation (ILO) requirements.
EU Economic and Social Sector Head, Rigo BelPaire echoed Burton’s argument that economic changes needed to be made to reduce child labour. In his address BelPaire said studies have shown the links between poverty and child labour and that education could be used to reverse the cycle of poverty. He also called on government to continue its commitment to children even as he extended EU support for ‘Tackle’.
Meanwhile, in brief remarks Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir said that there was still a long way to go in terms of the development of the people of Guyana. He said that a World Bank report had showed that 60% of the workforce did not finish primary school, a situation which has to be remedied.
Chief Labour Officer Mohammed Akeel presented a historical overview of child labour and pointed out that 250 million children worldwide; whether in the factories of Europe, the mines in Africa or selling sweets on the city streets are all victims of this social ill.
Akeel said locally the ministry was taking action to prevent child labour through its workplace inspection programmes. He said the ministry was also strengthening its capacity to address the issue. Both the education and labour ministries with ILO assistance are to embark on the 36-month programme.
The Ministry of Education’s role is to make the educational system more attractive in order to encourage youths to stay in school. Through its welfare programme officers would visit homes and advise parents of the importance of keeping their children enrolled in schools. Minister Shaik Baksh said efforts were already underway to boost the school system for children. He admitted that the monitoring systems in schools are weak and efforts will be made to have those strengthened. To this end Baksh noted that the new education legislation proposes to make pre-primary education compulsory and also to extend the age of compulsory education.
In his address ILO representative Benjamin Smith said his organization would facilitate ‘Tackle’, provide technical advice and make best practices of other countries available, when necessary.
‘Tackle’ was launched on Wednesday at the Ocean View Convention Centre.
