Latest update November 8th, 2024 1:00 AM
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Region Two schools march against child labour
Some of the students who participated in the march
To mark international day against child labour, one of the activities planned by a collective body, comprising the Department of Education, Region Two, The Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Human Services, was a march, which saw the participation of students from the Anna Regina Multilateral and the Cotton Field Secondary Schools.
Pupils from the C.V.Nunes Primary also attended the march.
The march took off from the Jaigobin Supermarket in Henrietta and converged at the multipurpose hall, in the auditorium of the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School.
Students chanted, ‘Stay in school, child labour hurts.’’
Mr. Haimraj Hamandoe, Senior Social Security Officer, attached to the Region Two Welfare Department, said that child labour continues to pose a challenge to the nation and the world at large.
Hamandoe added that the main cause of child labour is poverty, which is notably considered, especially in Guyana, as both a cause and a symptom.
The welfare officer explained that in most of the recognized cases, poor parents, especially in the rural areas, send their children to work, not out of choice, but for reasons of economic expediency.
“In Guyana, children are found in the worst forms of child labour, principally in the agriculture, logging and fishing industries. In agriculture, children may carry heavy loads, apply agrochemicals and use sharp cutting tools.”
Hamandoe noted that 26 per cent of Guyanese children between the ages of seven and 15 work and that 28 per cent between the ages of seven and 14 years both work and study.
Hamendoe said that in the overwhelming majority of child labour involved hazardous work and that the 2011 World Day against child labour aims to provide a global spotlight on hazardous child labour.
Region Two Labour Officer, Jason Narine, said that in Region Two, although the region has not recorded an alarming case of child labour, cases were brought to the attention of the office. These cases were recorded in villages like Charity, Aurora and Henrietta.
Narine said there are at present 4000 identified cases nationwide and measures are
in place to address the issue of child labour .
Fines ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 could be imposed on anyone found culpable of the act.
Students and pupils of the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary and C.V.Nunes Primary School performed poems and songs.
Other attendees included District Education Officer, Nursery, Ms. Shondelle Hercules; Ms. Leslyn Charles, Regional Education Officer; Mahindra Thakurdat, Jason Narine, Mr. Haimraj Hamendoe and Ms. Lorraine English. (Yannason Duncan)
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