Jamaica businesses urged to avoid child labour linkages

Minister of Labour and Social Security Shahine Robinson has called on Jamaican businesses to become more proactive in verifying their supply-chain operations - whether local, regional or international - in order to ensure they are free of any influence of or contact with incidence of child labour.

In a message marking World Day Against Child Labour, being observed globally today under the theme 'End Child Labour In Supply Chains', Robinson said that while businesses in Jamaica may not be openly and knowingly engaged in this abuse of our children, the nature of the global economy and international trade makes it difficult for them to be absolutely sure that those with whom they do business are not engaged in this illegal practice.

"Ending child labour in supply chains demands that Jamaican businesses become vigilant in their relations and assume a more aggressive stance in ensuring that their supply chain processes - those with whom they have business dealings - not only share our values, commitment to ethical business practices and labour standards, but do not engage in the employment of children under age 18 years old," said Robinson.

The full statement from Robinson reads:

As a staunch defender of the rights of children and the cause to eliminate child labour, Jamaica once again proudly stands with the global community in another observance of the World Day Against Child Labour.

We do so fully mindful of the importance of a united global action in combating this scourge, but also our own responsibility as a nation in ensuring that our children are able to enjoy their childhood, pursue their dreams and ambitions, and grow to become responsible, useful and productive adult citizens.

Already, the National Action Plan on Child Labour provides that Jamaican children remain in school up to age 17, and parents must not abuse their children by engaging them in employment under that age.

The theme for this year's observance: 'End Child Labour in Supply Chains' is most appropriate.

As those engaged in business would readily attest, when we speak of 'supply chain', it is essentially referring to that integrated process linking inputs, outputs, suppliers, distributors and consumers. It is a business process, but sadly, too, it is a process in which child labour is manifest and widespread.

The global estimate of children engaged in various forms of child labour is a frightening 168 million.

While businesses in Jamaica may, for the most part, not be openly and knowingly engaged in this abuse of our children, the nature of the global economy and international trade makes it difficult for us to be absolutely sure that those with whom we do business are not engaged in this illegal practice.

Ending child labour in supply chains, therefore, will demand that Jamaican businesses become vigilant in their relations and assume a more aggressive stance in ensuring that their supply chain processes those with whom they have business dealings - not only share our values, commitment to ethical business practises and labour standards, but do not engage in the employment of children under age 18 years old and, especially, under dangerous, exploitative and unhealthy conditions.