GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, says the ministry’s campaign to tackle child abuse will be amplified to curb unreported instances of child labor.
During an activity to raise awareness about child labor, Persaud said the issue should be everybody’s business.
The campaign,’ Every Child Safe,’ launched in 2021 to curb the high number of reported child abuse cases, will also target child labor.
“We have started the ‘Every Child Safe’ program, which focuses on raising children and adults in a safe and secure environment [and] this morning I give the commitment through the… program, that everything to do with child labor will be given equal importance as child abuse because the two intertwine so that awareness and education can happen at the community,” Persaud said.
One of the main pillars of the ‘Every Child Safe’ campaign is public awareness to ensure the general populace knows the warning signs to identify whether a child is being abused. World Day Against Child Labour is observed annually on June 12. This year it is celebrated under the theme, “Social Justice for all. End Child Labour.”
The Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport are collaborating to provide a government response to the issue.
Labor offices were established in most regions for persons to make reports. Still, up to last year, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton said even with multiple ways to increase the availability of officers, words had yet to be received since 2021.
It is still being determined whether this means the reports aren’t being made or child labor situations are decreasing.
Persaud has called on residents to educate themselves on the issue and work collectively with the ministries and supporting agencies to stop child abuse and child labor. She noted that reporting these issues must not be left to only the officers at state agencies but across the board.
“Go out there, see, know, recognize, and report it. Reporting must not be left only to officers of state agencies. Reporting must be done nationwide by every citizen, be it a child or an adult,” she said.
She noted that the government has several programs available to keep children occupied and ensure they are not vulnerable to exploitation. She also emphasized that there are study opportunities and training programs through the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the Ministry of Public Service.
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