Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Guyana (Ratification: 2001)

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Clause (c). Use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes with satisfaction the Government’s indication, in its report, that the use, procuring or offering of a child for the production and distribution of narcotics has been criminalized under section 2 of the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2023, within the definition of trafficking and exploitation. The Committee also notes that, under section 2(4) of the Act, any person who exploits a child by using, procuring, or offering that child for the production or trafficking of narcotics commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of 1 million dollars and imprisonment for five years. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of section 2(4) of the Trafficking in Persons Act, 2023, in particular on the number and nature of cases detected and penalties imposed in relation to the use, procuring or offering of children for the production and trafficking of drugs.

Article 4(3). Revision of the list of hazardous work. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the discussions on the revision of the list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years are ongoing and that no updated list has yet been enacted. The Committee further notes the Government’s engagement with the ILO and its readiness to receive technical assistance to ensure that any future revision is consistent with international standards. The Committee expresses the firm hope that the revised list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years will be adopted in the near future, in consultation with the social partners. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on the progress made in this regard.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk.Children in street situations and Amerindian children. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) strengthened its efforts to identify and assist children in street situations and those from Amerindian communities, recognized as being at risk of exploitation and engagement in hazardous work. It notes that field teams composed of probation officers, police, and school welfare officials were deployed to markets, bus stops, and street corners to identify children in street situations, intervene directly, and refer them to care services.

The Committee further notes that child care services in Amerindian communities are expanding through the construction of new facilities, infrastructure upgrades, personnel training, and strengthened licensing standards, including in the hinterland regions.

The Committee notes that in its 2024 concluding observations, the United Nations Human Rights Committee expressed its concern regarding the reports of the engagement of children in hazardous work, including among Amerindian communities, and regrets the absence of detailed information on the number and situation of children in street situations, who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation (CCPR/C/GUY/CO/3, para. 36). The Committee requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to take effective and time-bound measures to identify and protect children in street situations and from Amerindian communities from the worst forms of child labour, and to ensure their rehabilitation and social integration. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures adopted, including the number of such children who have been identified, removed, and provided with assistance.

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