St. Thomas Has Jamaica’s Highest Cases of Child Labourers

Though Jamaica had the lowest number of child labour cases within the Caribbean in a 2016 survey, however, the pandemic has seen more children having to fend for themselves.

At present just over 56 thousand children are a part of the illegal child labour system, enough to fill the national stadium one and a half times.

160 million children worldwide are involved in child labour. This means 1 in every 10 children is involved in economic activities with 50% of those in hazardous forms of labour.

Though Jamaica has the lowest number of child labour cases within the Caribbean and Latin America, 8.1% of the nation’s children which is 53,274 are still part of the economic system.

56,000 children could fill the National Stadium 1 and a half times. However, the pandemic has increased the number of children that are part of this illegal system. 

According to 2016 youth activity survey, the surrey county has recorded the most cases of child labour incidents with St. Thomas and Portland recording the most cases.

On a more granular level, sections of St. Mary are also concentrated with child laborers. UNICEF and Hilo are two of the organizations that have committed to keeping down the labour statistics especially during times of a pandemic.

Labour Minister Karl Samuda says that come 2025 there will be major efforts within the country to completely rid of child labour.