Child Labour in the Caribbean: A Report on Sustainable Development Goals
Child labour continues to persist worldwide, including in the Caribbean region. Children are forced to work due to the necessity for their own survival and that of their families. Additionally, unscrupulous adults exploit their vulnerability. The prevalence of child labour is also attributed to weaknesses in education systems and deeply ingrained cultural and social attitudes. Unfortunately, child labour often remains hidden from public view, diminishing its perceived urgency as a problem.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is leading global efforts to combat child labour, with a particular focus on its worst forms. The ILO collaborates closely with governments, workers’ organizations, and employers’ organizations of its member States to ensure the adoption and implementation of international treaties addressing child labour. These include ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour and ILO Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age for Employment.
In the Caribbean, efforts to address child labour were initiated in 2000-2001 when the ILO Subregional Office for the Caribbean launched its Regional Child Labour Project. The Government of Jamaica also signed an agreement with the ILO to prevent and eliminate the worst forms of child labour within the country.
The Regional Child Labour Project has prompted numerous governments to take action against child labour, starting with the ratification of relevant ILO Conventions. Currently, twelve Caribbean member States have ratified ILO Convention No. 182, while nine member States have ratified ILO Convention No. 138.
This website serves as a valuable resource, providing information on the initiatives undertaken by the Regional Child Labour Project and highlighting the efforts of Caribbean countries in their endeavor to prevent and eliminate the worst forms of child labour.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
- Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group.
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SDG 4: Quality Education
- Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
- Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill.
Analysis
The article highlights the issue of child labor in the Caribbean and the efforts being made to combat it. Based on the content of the article, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:
1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The issue of child labor is directly connected to SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Target 8.7 specifically addresses the eradication of child labor, including its worst forms. The article mentions the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) efforts to combat child labor and the adoption and application of international treaties on child labor. This aligns with the target of taking immediate and effective measures to eliminate the worst forms of child labor.
The article also indirectly implies Indicator 8.7.1, which measures the proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor. The article mentions that child labor remains hidden from public view, indicating the need for data and monitoring to measure the extent of the problem.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
The issue of child labor is also connected to SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The article mentions that child labor is due to weaknesses in education systems, indicating a need for improved access to quality education. Target 4.4 specifically addresses the acquisition of relevant skills for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
The article indirectly implies Indicator 4.4.1, which measures the proportion of youth and adults with ICT skills. While not explicitly mentioned in the article, the need for skills development is implied in the context of addressing the root causes of child labor and providing alternative opportunities for children.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. | Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship. | Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill. |
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Fuente: ilo.org
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