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Child Labour, Occupational Saftey and Health Policies launched

April 27, 2019

– to protect the rights of children and workers

– “a multi-sectoral approach is needed to tackle child labour” – Min. Ally

DPI, Guyana, Saturday, April 27, 2019

Continuing its efforts to enhance the rights of the nation’s children and the rights of workers, the Ministry of Social Protection, on Friday, launched its Child Labour and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policies at the Marriott Hotel.

The policies, which were in the making for quite some time, became possible through the collaboration of the Ministry of Social Protection, UNICEF, Federal of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) and Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry (CAGI).

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally at the launch of the first Child Labor Policy and a renewed OSH Policy at Marriot Hotel.
Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally at the launch of the first Child Labor Policy and a renewed OSH Policy at Marriot Hotel.
Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine at the launching ceremony.
Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine at the launching ceremony.
General Secretary of the GTUC, Lincoln Lewis.
General Secretary of the GTUC, Lincoln Lewis.
A skit being performed at the launch ceremony by employees from the Labor Department and student from St. Gabriel’s Primary, depicting Child Labor in Society.
A skit being performed at the launch ceremony by employees from the Labor Department and student from St. Gabriel’s Primary, depicting Child Labor in Society.
A section of school children from various schools in Georgetown attending the ceremony at Marriott.
A section of school children from various schools in Georgetown attending the ceremony at Marriott.
A section of the gathering at the Marriott Hotel early Friday morning.
A section of the gathering at the Marriott Hotel early Friday morning.
A keen little listener at the Child Labor Policy Launch.
A keen little listener at the Child Labor Policy Launch.
A section of the gathering at the Marriott Hotel early Friday morning.
A section of the gathering at the Marriott Hotel early Friday morning.

According to the International Labor Organisation (ILO), 152 million children across the globe are exposed to child labour with 65 million being girls and eight million boys.

The Ministry of Social Protection is concerned about this alarming figure and will continue its effort to eliminate all forms of child labour in Guyana.

In this regard, Minister Amna Ally disclosed that the ministry will pool its resources with several organisations to educate the nation in every administrative region about child labour and the safety required in the workplace.

“The fight against child labour requires a multi-sectoral approach. No single agency can deal with this problem considering the many dimensions it takes and different skills required… Also, for the first time in more than two decades, Guyana will have an updated OSH policy. It is therefore with pride and pleasure that I inform you that the aim of the policy is to promote and improve the quality of life for workers by preventing social and economic losses, work-related accidents.”

Minister Amna Ally added that the policy will be guided by the need to identify and assess occupational risks and hazards that need to be controlled.

“The development of national preventative safety and health culture that includes information, consultation, research and training will be enforced at all levels,” the Social Protection Minister stressed.

Ayana George.

Images: Ameer Sattaur.

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