VZCZCXRO3888
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHSP #0026/01 0231551
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231551Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9635
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0164

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT OF SPAIN 000026 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DOL/ILAB, DRL/ILCSR, WHA/CAR 
PLEASE PASS TO TINA MCCARTER AND TU DANG 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI USAID TD
SUBJECT:  2008 COUNTRY CHILD LABOR REPORT FOR TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 
 
REF: 08 STATE 127448 
 
¶1.  This cable contains updated information for required reporting 
under the Trade and Development Act (TDA) concerning child labor in 
the Republic of 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 yet to be realized because the GOTT has not 
developed a list of occupations considered 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 Minster of Education. 
Children under the age of 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 (however, sugar 
production came to an end in 2007 after the withdrawal of government 
support for the industry).  Violation of these regulations is 
subject to fines.  There is no compulsory military service in 
Trinidad and Tobago, and the minimum age for voluntary military 
recruitment is 18; however, with parental consent the age limitation 
is lowered to 16. 
 
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.  In June, the 
Trinidad and Tobago parliament enacted the International Child 
Abduction Law of 2008, which establishes a Civil Child Abduction 
Authority in compliance with the Hague Convention of 1980 on the 
Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. 
 
¶B.  Regulations for implementation and enforcement of proscriptions 
against the worst forms of child labor: 
 
The Ministry of Labor and Small and Micro-Enterprise 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 Labor 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. 
 
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.  The 
existing 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.  At the Ministry of Labor and Small and Micro 
Enterprises the Labor Inspectorate Unit has the mandate to 
investigate child labor issues in the workplace.  Currently, there 
are 19 inspectors on staff.  The labor inspectors are trained to 
identify cases of child labor.  Under the Minimum Age for Admission 
to Employment Act of 2007, the labor inspectors are given the power 
to enter, inspect, and examine at all reasonable hours any premises 
when there is reasonable cause to believe that violations are taking 
place.  Furthermore, the inspector has the authority to request 
information with respect to wage, terms and condition for a person 
under the age of eighteen years. 
 
There have been no child labor investigations conducted over the 
past year that resulted in fines, penalties or convictions.   The 
Labor Inspectorate Unit is being restructured to strengthen its 
capacity to monitor and enforce workplace standards, of which child 
labor laws are one aspect.  The Unit has prepared an informational 
booklet that outlines all legislation that it enforces and also 
encourages compliance with this legislation so that both employers 
and employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities. A 
 
PORT OF SP 00000026  002 OF 002 
 
 
section in the booklet speaks to the employment of children. 
 
¶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.  In addition, the private entity 
SERVOL of Trinidad and Tobago offers life skills development for 
various age groups. 
 
¶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 remains 
ineffectual as it has yet to be finalized.  It will be submitted to 
cabinet for approval following a period of stakeholder consultation 
that is currently ongoing. 
 
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. 
With regard to such violence, school as well as law enforcement 
officials are concerned by the increasing level of gang recruitment 
within the schools.  The government committed resources to building 
new facilities and also expanded access to free secondary 
education. 
 
¶E.  Continual progress toward eliminating the worst forms of child 
labor: 
 
Although current information on the incidence of child labor is not 
available, the Ministry of Labor and Small and Micro-Enterprise 
provided post with statistics from 2005.  A rapid assessment study 
conducted by the ILO in 2002 indicated that an estimated 1.2% of 
children aged 5-14 are engaged in paid work, and 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, however, the local economy has experienced 
an oil and gas-led boom that has lowered overall unemployment, and 
accelerated a shift away from traditional agriculture, reducing 
demand for child labor. 
 
The same ILO rapid assessment identified four occupational areas 
considered the worst forms of child labor: scavenging, agriculture, 
commercial sexual activity and domestic work.  Of particular note is 
the decline of agricultural employment as the sugar industry has 
disappeared.   The GOTT closed the state-owned sugar company in 
2003, and virtually all sugar production ceased in 2007 following 
that year's harvest.  Past reports indicated that of the minimal 
percentage of agricultural children workers, the majority were 
Indo-Trini males.  However, 2007 statistics demonstrate a further 
decline of youth workers in the general agricultural industry. 
 
KUSNTIZ