Kudos for tackling child labour

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I am in agreement with Labour Minister Pearnel Charles on his move to tackle child labour, though one would want to ask how adults can't get work, but children can.

As a prospective social worker, I have seen this a lot. Some of these parents use excuses like, "Miss, they would rather buy from them than us, so we send them to school every other day, and let them work the other days." Others will say, "Boy, there is no other option."

Over the years, agencies, social workers, guidance counsellors, police officers, and other professional helpers have tried earnestly to stop child labour, but have been unsuccessful, mainly because the parents don't see anything wrong with the act.

Can't blame parents

In some cases, we can't blame the parents alone. The reality is that some of these parents don't really know better, and people can't give what they don't have. We all have a responsibility to give our children the opportunity to enjoy their freedom.

Minister Charles, in making the vision of ending child labour a reality, would have to educate these parents about child labour, and educate these children about their rights.

The Child Care and Protection Act could be a useful tool for penalising persons who employ children, as well as to penalise persons who know of child labour and refuse to report it.

Finally, there needs to be a thrust to create more jobs so that parents wouldn't have to use the usual excuses that they are unemployed and have no choice.

Again, thumbs up to Minister Charles in the war against child labour. We await great results.

PATRICE MCGANN

pmcgann@ncu.edu.jm

Buff Bay, Portland