VZCZCXYZ0010
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSP #1165/01 3341633
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 301633Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8839
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0152

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 001165 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DRL/IL--DANG, DOL FOR ILAB--MCCARTER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EIND ELAB ETRD PHUM SOCI TD
SUBJECT: UPDATE OF WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR INFORMATION 
FOR MANDATORY CONGRESSIONAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 
 
REF: STATE 158223 
 
¶1. (U) This cable contains updated information for required 
reporting under the Trade and Development Act (TDA) 
concerning child labor in Trinidad and Tobago (TT). 
 
¶A.  Laws and regulations proscribing the worst forms of child 
labor: 
 
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GOTT) has ratified ILO 
Convention 138.  However, plans to amend legislation to 
comply with ILO convention 182 have not yet been realized 
because the GOTT has not yet developed a list of occupations 
considered to be the worst forms of child labor. 
 
The Minimum Age for Admission to Employment Act of 2007 sets 
the minimum age for employment in public and private 
industries at 16.  However, children aged 14 to 16 may work 
in activities in which only family members are employed, or 
that have been approved as vocational or technical training 
by the Minister of Education.  Children under 18 are 
prohibited from working between the hours of 10 PM and 5 AM 
except in a family enterprise or within other limited 
exceptions.  One such exception permits children from 16 to 
18 to work at night in sugar factories (a dying industry). 
Violation of these regulations is subject to fines.  The 
minimum age for military recruitment is 18. 
 
There are no laws specifically prohibiting trafficking, but 
the Sexual Offences Act prohibits procuring a minor under the 
age of 16 for the purpose of prostitution.  The penalty for 
procurement is 15 years imprisonment.  Trafficking may also 
be prosecuted under laws addressing kidnapping, labor 
conditions, procurement of sex, prostitution, slavery, and 
indentured servitude.  The use of children under 16 in 
pornography is also prohibited. 
 
¶B. Regulations for implementation and enforcement of 
proscriptions against the worst forms of child labor: 
 
The Ministry of Labor and Small and Micro-Enterprises and the 
Social Services Delivery Unit in the Office of the Prime 
Minister are responsible for enforcing child labor 
provisions.  In 2004, the GOTT created the National Steering 
Committee on the Prevention and Elimination of Child Labour 
in Trinidad and Tobago.  The committee is tasked with 
developing a national policy to eliminate all forms of child 
labor.  Its responsibilities include creating a plan of 
action, reviewing and recommending legislation, and 
inter-organizational coordination.  Currently, there is only 
a draft national policy on combating the worst forms of child 
labor. 
 
Central to the proposed national policy is the creation of a 
Children's Authority, which will be tasked with the oversight 
of the well being of all children in Trinidad and Tobago. 
The Authority has the ultimate responsibility for receiving 
child labor complaints, conducting investigations, enforcing 
child labor regulations, and sheltering exploited children 
temporarily.  A Family Court is to work in conjunction with 
the Authority to adjudicate legal cases, enforce child labor 
provisions, and determine the disposition of exploited 
children. 
 
Penal sanctions for the employment of children are contained 
in laws such as the Children's Act, Shipping Act, and 
Occupational Safety and Health Act.  Labor inspectors of the 
Ministry of Labor are trained to identify cases of child 
labor. 
 
¶C. Social programs specifically designed to prevent and 
withdraw children from the worst forms of child labor: 
 
The Ministry of Education has a variety of programs to help 
children stay in school and thus minimize the risk of child 
labor.   These include school guidance and counseling, 
special education and inclusive education, a school social 
work program, school transportation and nutrition programs, 
and literacy remediation and alternative education programs. 
 
The Ministry of National Security has a number of programs 
that target "at risk" youths.  These include the Civilian 
Conservation Corps, Military-led Academic Training, and the 
Military-led Youth Program of Apprenticeship and 
Reorientation Training.  These programs are incorporated 
within the Specialized Youth Service Programs, and are 
designed to enhance self-esteem, academic and life skills, 
and civic-mindedness. 
 
¶D. A comprehensive policy aimed at the elimination of the 
worst forms of child labor: 
 
In July 2004, a National Steering Committee for the 
Prevention and Elimination of Child Labor was established. 
The committee developed a draft National Policy for the 
Prevention and Elimination of Child Labor in Trinidad and 
Tobago.  However, this policy has yet to be finalized. 
 
¶E. Continual Progress toward eliminating the worst forms of 
child labor: 
 
Although current information on the incidence of child labor 
is still not available, the Ministry of Labor and Small and 
Micro-Enterprise provided post with statistics from 2005.  A 
rapid assessment study by the ILO indicated that an estimated 
1.2% of children aged 5-14 are engaged in paid work.  Less 
than 1% participate in unpaid work for someone other than a 
household member.  UNICEF's 2000 Multiple Indicators Cluster 
Survey of Trinidad and Tobago estimated that 4.1% of children 
are engaged in paid work.  Since 2000, though the local 
economy has experienced an oil and gas-led boom that has 
lowered overall unemployment and plausibly could also have 
lessened the already low-level of child labor. 
 
Education is compulsory up to the age of 12, and public 
education is free for all elementary and secondary students 
up to the age of 20.  In addition, higher education is free 
for nationals at public universities, as well as for approved 
programs at private institutions.  The Ministry of Education 
estimated that 89% of school-age children attended school, 
and most students achieved the equivalent of a high school 
diploma.  Many public schools failed to meet the needs of the 
school-age population due to overcrowding, substandard 
physical facilities, and occasional classroom violence.  The 
government committed resources to building new facilities and 
expanded access to free secondary education. 
 
 
AUSTIN