2002 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Grenada
| Publisher | United States Department of Labor |
| Author | Bureau of International Labor Affairs |
| Publication Date | 18 April 2003 |
| Cite as | United States Department of Labor, 2002 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Grenada, 18 April 2003, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/48d74892c.html [accessed 27 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Government Policies and Programs to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor
From 1999 to 2000, the Government of Grenada collaborated with the Canadian International Development Agency on the Eastern Caribbean Education Reform Project to produce a film about education reform and a brochure to give practical advice to parents who want to assist their children with their school work and literacy skills.1557 The Parliament of Grenada is currently considering legislation that would impose a 2,000 East Caribbean Dollar (USD 749) fine on any person who employs a child of school age during school hours.1558 The government has also prepared its first comprehensive educational development plan, entitled "Strategic Plan for Educational Enhancement and Development," to be implemented from 2002-2010.1559
Incidence and Nature of Child Labor
Statistics on the number of working children under the age of 15 in Grenada are unavailable. Child labor is reportedly not a significant problem in Grenada, although some children work informally in the agricultural sector.1560
Education is compulsory in Grenada until the age of 16.1561 In 1998, the gross primary enrollment rate was 125.5 percent, while the net primary enrollment rate was 97.5 percent.1562 Despite high enrollment rates, factors such as poverty, poor school facilities, and the periodic need to help with family farm harvests have resulted in approximately a 7 percent absenteeism rate among primary school children.1563
Child Labor Laws and Enforcement
The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act of 1999 sets the minimum age for employment in Grenada at 16 years, with the exception of holiday employment.1564 A person convicted of violating the Act can be subject to a fine of up to USD 10,000, up to three years imprisonment, or both.1565 The Constitution prohibits forced labor and slavery.1566 There are no laws that specifically address trafficking in persons and there were no reports that children were trafficked to, from, within, or through the country.1567 The Ministry of Labor enforces child labor laws in the formal sector through periodic checks; however, enforcement in the informal sector is not stringent.1568 The Government of Grenada has not ratified ILO Convention 138 or ILO Convention 182.1569
1557 Government of Canada, Canadian Cooperation in the Caribbean 2000 Edition: Grenada, CIDA.gc.com, [online] [cited August 13, 2002]; available from http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca_ind.nsf.
1558 Reginald Lord, Grenada Ministry of Labour, facsimile communication to USDOL official, August 22, 2002. For currency conversion see FX Converter, [online] [cited November 11, 2002]; available from http://www.carosta.de/ frames/convert.htm.
1559 Grenadian Voice, Ten Year Education Plan Finalized, Grenadianvoice.com, [online] [cited August 14, 2002]; available from http://www.grenadianvoice.com/archives/040502/local3.htm.
1560 U.S. Department of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – 2001: Grenada, Washington, D.C., March 4, 2002, 2815, Section 5 [cited August 9, 2002]; available from http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2001/wha/ 8348.htm.
1561 Ibid.
1562 UNESCO: Institute for Statistics, Education for All: Year 2000 Assessment – A Decade of Education [CD-ROM], Paris, 2000.
1563 U.S. Embassy – Bridgetown, unclassified telegram no. 1126, June 23, 2000.
1564 Government of Grenada, Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act, 1999, Article 32, 132 as cited in Adrian Hayes, Grenada Ministry of Legal Affairs, facsimile communication to USDOL official, May 12, 2001.
1565 Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act, 1999, Article 35 as cited in Hayes, facsimile communication, May 12, 2001.
1566 Grenada Constitution Order 1973, No. 2155, (February 7, 1974), Chapter 1, Section 4, 1-2 [cited October 7, 2002]; available from http://www.georgetown.edu/pdba/Constitutions/Grenada/gren73eng.html.
1567 U.S. Department of State, Country Reports – 2001: Grenada, 2815-16, Section 6f.
1568 Ibid., 2815-16, Section 6d.
1569 ILO, Ratifications by Country, in ILOLEX, [database online] [cited August 8, 2002]; available from http://ilolex.ilo.ch:1567/english/newratframeE.htm.
