Moves to Stamp Out Child Labour in Antigua by 2025

Child labor exists in Antigua and Barbuda, but there is insufficient data to prove just how much.

A few days ago, employers, employees, and government officials gathered at the Trade Winds Hotel for a two-day national workshop to address the issue of child labor in Antigua and Barbuda.

Representatives from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) were present to provide valuable insights and guidance.

The workshop kicked off with a detailed presentation on the findings and recommendations of a rapid assessment of child labor in the region.

The ILO emphasized the importance of dispelling the misconception that child labor does not exist in the country, highlighting the various forms it can take, including traditional and cultural practices.

Resel Melville from the ILO stressed the distinction between child work and child labor, noting that while certain chores and activities are essential to a child’s learning experiences, prolonged or hazardous forms of work can be detrimental to their well-being and development.

One of the primary concerns raised by the ILO is the lack of explicit data on child labor in Antigua and Barbuda.

Reports of school abandonment, early dropout rates, and injuries among young individuals often go unrecognized as indicators of child labor, pointing to a critical need for comprehensive data collection and analysis.

Looking ahead, the ILO hopes to see a committed effort from the government to address its obligations under international conventions, including the establishment of a child labor policy, development of a national action plan, and the identification of hazardous forms of child labor.

Ultimately, the goal is to end all forms of child labor in the country by 2025, aligning with sustainable development objectives.