Child Labor and Forced Labor Reports

Belize

Bananas
Bananas
Child Labor Icon
Citrus Fruits
Citrus Fruits
Child Labor Icon
Sugarcane
Sugarcane
Child Labor Icon
Belize
2021 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor:

Moderate Advancement

In 2021, Belize made moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The government developed Belize's second National Child Labor Policy with plans to begin implementation in 2022. It also launched a program with the ILO and the Belize Sugarcane Farmers Association to pilot strategies to promote employment for vulnerable youth and women in the sugarcane supply chain in northern Belize. In addition, Belize achieved its first two convictions under the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Act. However, children in Belize are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking. Children also engage in dangerous tasks in agriculture and construction. Belize does not meet the international standard for prohibitions of hazardous work because children over age 14 are permitted to work in dangerous activities such as mining, manufacturing, and construction. In addition, the minimum age for work is lower than the compulsory education age, which may encourage children to leave school before the completion of compulsory education.

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