Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Trinidad and Tobago (Ratification: 2003)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report and the supplementary information provided in light of the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 338th Session (June 2020).

Articles 3(d) and 4(1) of the Convention. Determination of hazardous work. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that work in the country would continue on the list of hazardous types of work for children in consultation with the social partners, but urged the Government to ensure that the list would be adopted in the near future, as work in this respect had been ongoing since 2004.

The Committee notes the Government’s reiterated reference in its report, in response to the Committee’s request, to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which defines a “young person” as a child of the age of 16 and under the age of 18 years (section 4) and provides for limitations as to the hours of work of young persons (section 54). However, the Committee also notes the Government’s indication that the list of occupations deemed hazardous to children has not yet been completed. In this respect, the Committee also notes that Outcome 3 entitled “Children are Protected” of the National Child Policy for 2018–28 (available on the website of the Gender and Child Affairs Division of the Office of the Prime Minister) provides for the prevention of child labour and the involvement of children in hazardous work, including through the definition of hazardous occupations and activities prohibited for children. Recalling that, pursuant to Article 1 of the Convention, each Member that ratifies the Convention shall take immediate measures to ensure the prohibition of the worst forms of child labour as a matter of urgency, the Committee once again urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the adoption of the list of hazardous types of work for children in the very near future. It once again requests the Government to provide a copy of that list once it has been adopted.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.