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Grenada
Government Policies and Programs to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor
The Government of Grenada has indicated a desire to determine the extent of poverty in Grenada and possible solutions to this problem.[1070] In 1990, under the auspices of the WFP, the government began a school meals program throughout the nation's pre-primary and primary schools, a textbook program, and a program to upgrade some of the country's pre-schools. Under the school meal program, children pay a minimal fee to their school for a daily meal. The textbook program helps children from low-income families obtain the necessary tools to enhance their educational opportunities.[1071]
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 help with the periodic harvesting of family spice or banana fields.[1072]
Education is free and compulsory in Grenada between the ages of 6 and 14 years.[1073] In 1998, the gross primary enrollment rate was 125.5 percent, while the net primary enrollment rate was 97.5 percent.[1074] Despite the high enrollment rate, 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.[1075]
Child Labor Laws and Enforcement
Under the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act, the minimum age for employment in Grenada is 16 years.[1076] The Constitution prohibits forced labor and slavery.[1077] 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.[1078] The Ministry of Labor enforces child labor laws in the formal sector through periodic checks.[1079] Grenada has not ratified ILO Convention 138 or ILO Convention 182.[1080]
[1070] Grenada’s GDP is one of the lowest per capita in the region. See U.S. Embassy–Bridgetown, unclassified telegram no. 1126, June 2000 [hereinafter unclassified telegram 1126].
[1071] UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Consideration of Reports Submitted by States Parties Under Article 44 of the Convention: Initial Reports of States Parties Due in 1992, Addendum, Grenada, CRC/C/3/Add. 55, [hereinafter Initial Reports of States Parties], p. 5, para. 24, at http://www.hri.ca/fortherecord2000/documentation/tbodies/crc-c-3-add55.htm on 11/5/01.
[1072] Unclassified telegram 1126.
[1073] Initial Reports of States Parties, p. 6, para. 31.
[1074] An explanation for the high net primary enrollment rate in 1991 was unavailable. See UNESCO, Education for All: Year 2000 Assessment [CD-ROM].
[1075] Unclassified telegram 1126.
[1076] Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act, 1999, Article 32, p. 132 [copy on file].
[1077] The Grenada Constitution Order, 1973, Chapter 1, Section 4, at http://www.georgetown.edu/pdba/constitutions/grenada/gren/73eng.html.
[1078] Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2001—Grenada (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of State, 2001) [hereinafter Country Reports 2000], Section 6f, at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2001/wha/8348.htm.
[1079] Ibid at 6d.
[1080] ILO, International Labour Standards and Human Rights Department, at http://webfusion.ilo.org/public/db/standards/normes/appl-ratif8conv.cfm?lang=en.
NOTE: Hard copies of all Web citations are on file.
