Barbados re-establishes National Child Labour Committee

The development of targeted measures to prevent child labour is being prioritized by the Government and social partners in Barbados, as they take action on national commitments within the framework of the Regional Initiative Latin American and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour.

The advancement follows the recent decision by the Cabinet of Barbados to reinstate the National Child Labour Committee, a tripartite body for intersectoral planning and coordination of strategic actions for the prevention and elimination of child labour.

The reestablished Committee officially launched on 15th February 2024 with its first meeting hosted by the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector. It comprises representatives of the Child Care Board; The Barbados Police Service; Barbados Employers’ Confederation; Barbados Workers’ Union; Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training; Barbados Association of Non-Governmental Organisations; Labour Department; and the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados.

“Barbados is pleased to inform that the National Child Labour Committee has been reconvened with a focus on the prevention of child labour. During our initial meeting in February 2024, members discussed the background information including the Durban Call to Action, as well the Committee’ mandate and terms of reference. We also started the discussions on a national action plan and proposed activities for World Day Against Child Labour on 12th June, 2024,” said Rhonda Farley, Coordinator at the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector.

The Committee will meet every two months. Its next session is scheduled for 18th April 2024, during which Ms Resel Melville, Programme Officer for the Regional Initiative at the ILO Caribbean Office, will discuss the Regional Strategic and Operational Plans and engage participants in crafting a roadmap for the development of the Action Plan for Barbados.

“The ILO, which serves as the Technical Secretariat of the Regional Initiative, welcomes the decision by Barbados to reinstate its National Child Labour Committee to develop and operationalize an Action Plan that protects children and teenagers from a premature entry into the workforce. We look forward to working closely with Committee members as Barbados accelerates action to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7 which seeks to eradicate child labour in all of its forms by 2025,” explained Resel Melville.

More information about the Regional Initiative Latin America and the Caribbean is available at: https://www.iniciativa2025alc.org