Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Grenada

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Grenada

2023 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor:

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Minimal Advancement

Although research found no evidence that child labor exists in Grenada, in 2023, the government made minimal advancement in efforts to prevent the worst forms of child labor. In their most recent budget, the government removed some education fees and funded programs to help defray other costs, such as school feeding programs and assistance for uniforms and books. However, despite these initiatives to address child labor, the law requires the use of force, threats, abuse of power, or other forms of coercion to classify an act as child trafficking, and therefore does not meet international standards. Grenada also has not identified in their legal framework hazardous activities prohibited for children or criminally prohibited the use, procuring, or offering of a child for all forms of commercial sexual exploitation.

**Statistics on Children's Work and Education**
Children	Age	Percent of Population
Working	5 to 14	Unavailable
Hazardous Work by Children	15 to 17	Unavailable
Attending School	5 to 14	Unavailable
Combining Work and School	7 to 14	Unavailable

Research found no evidence that child labor exists in Grenada.

**Laws and Regulations on Child Labor**

Grenada has ratified all key international conventions concerning child labor. However, Grenada’s laws do not meet international standards on the prohibition of child trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, and military recruitment by non-state armed groups.
Standard	Age	Meets International Standards	Legislation
Minimum Age for Work	16	✓	Articles 32 and 35 of the Employment Act
Minimum Age for Hazardous Work		✗
Identification of Hazardous Occupations or Activities Prohibited for Children		✗	Article 40 of the Employment Act
Prohibition of Slavery, Debt Bondage, and Forced Labor		✓	Article 25 of the Employment Act; Article 4 of the Constitution; Articles 2 and 9–12 of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act
Prohibition of Child Trafficking		✗	Articles 2, 9–11, and 14 of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act
Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children		✗	Articles 137(29) and 188 of the Criminal Code; Articles 2 and 12 of the Electronic Crimes Bill; Articles 2 and 10 of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act
Prohibition of Using Children in Illicit Activities		✓	Articles 22 and 23 of the Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act
Minimum Age for Voluntary State Military Recruitment		N/A†
Prohibition of Compulsory Recruitment of Children by (State) Military		N/A†
Prohibition of Military Recruitment by Non-state Armed Groups		✗
Compulsory Education Age	16	✓	Articles 2 and 15 of the Education Act
Free Public Education		✗	Article 16 of the Education Act

† Country has no standing military

The government has not identified by national law or regulation the types of hazardous work prohibited for children; however, night work is prohibited for those under age 18. Although Grenada's Employment Act and Education Act allow holiday employment for children over 14 years of age, this does not meet international standards as it does not determine the activities for which light work may be permitted or limit the number of hours for light work. Despite establishing heightened penalties for traffickers of children, the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act does not sufficiently prohibit the trafficking of children because it requires the use of force, threats, abuse of power, or other forms of coercion to classify an act as human trafficking. The Criminal Code, Electronic Crimes Bill, and Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act also do not criminally prohibit the use, procuring, or offering of a child for all forms of commercial sexual exploitation. Moreover, laws providing for free basic education do not meet international standards because they permit schools to charge tuition fees for some students who reside in Grenada but are not citizens.

**Agencies Responsible for Child Labor Law Enforcement**

In 2023, it is unclear whether labor and criminal law enforcement agencies in Grenada took actions to address child labor. In addition, labor inspectors did not receive training on laws and the enforcement of laws related to child labor.
Organization/Agency \| Role & Activities
Ministry of Labor: Enforces laws related to child labor through its Labor Commission, which generates a list of workplaces to inspect. Inspections are conducted at random as well as based on complaints, and unannounced inspections can be conducted in any sector, including the private sector and on farms. Although labor inspectors are not authorized to assess penalties, they inform the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) if a child labor violation is found. The RGPF then conducts a criminal investigation, and charges can be laid against violators through the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF): Investigates crimes and enforces laws related to child labor. If child labor is confirmed, the RGPF is notified and works with the Child Protection Authority and Ministry of Social Development, Housing & Community Empowerment to have the child removed from the home, if needed. Upon finding sufficient evidence of a criminal violation, submits findings for possible prosecution by the DPP. Helps the Child Protection Authority and the Ministry of Social Development, Housing & Community Empowerment provide emergency services to children.

**Enforcement Mechanisms and Efforts**
Overview of Enforcement Efforts	2023
Has a Labor Inspectorate	Yes
Able to Assess Civil Penalties	Yes
Routinely Conducted Worksite Inspections	Yes
Unannounced Inspections Permitted	Yes
Has a Complaint Mechanism	Yes
Imposed Penalties for Child Labor Violations	No
Conducted Criminal Investigations for Worst Forms of Child Labor Crimes	N/A
Imposed Penalties for Worst Forms of Child Labor Crimes	N/A

In 2023, 5 labor inspectors conducted an unknown number of worksite inspections, finding 0 child labor violations. The government also conducted 0 investigations into suspected cases of the worst forms of child labor, initiated 0 prosecutions, and convicted 0 perpetrators.

As there is no evidence of a problem, there appears to be no need for a mechanism to coordinate efforts to address child labor.

As there is no evidence of a problem, there appears to be no need for policies to address child labor.

**Key Social Programs to Address Child Labor**

As there is no evidence of a problem, there appears to be no need for programs to address child labor. However, the Government of Grenada has established a social program that may contribute to preventing child labor.
Program \| Description & Activities
Education Funding Programs:† In 2023, the government committed to ensuring there are no barriers to accessing education through enhanced educational training, infrastructure development, vocational training, curricular reform, technological integration, and through removed fees and the introduction of grants, including to preschools. The government also assists parents with the cost of uniforms, books, and food through a school feeding program for parents who are unable to afford it. Programs include the Support for Education and Empowerment Development (SEED Program), which supports vulnerable families through monthly cash disbursements. In 2023, an estimated 7,575 people received financial assistance through SEED.

For information about USDOL’s projects to address child labor around the world, visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/ilab-project-page-search
† Program is funded by the Government of Grenada.

**Suggested Government Actions to Eliminate Child Labor**

The suggested government actions below would close gaps USDOL has identified in Grenada's implementation of its international commitments to eliminate the worst forms of child labor.
Area	Suggested Action
Legal Framework	Determine by national law or regulation the types of hazardous work prohibited for children, after consultation with employers’ and workers’ organizations.
	Ensure that the minimum age for hazardous work is age 18.
	Ensure that the law’s light work provisions specify the activities in which light work may be undertaken and limit the number of hours for light work.
	Ensure that the law criminalizes all forms of child trafficking, including in cases that do not include the use of force, threats, abuse of power, or other forms of coercion.
	Enact legislation prohibiting the use, procuring, or offering of a child for all forms of commercial sexual exploitation.
	Ensure that the law criminally prohibits the recruitment of children under age 18 by non-state armed groups.
	Ensure that laws providing free basic education include all children in Grenada, including non-citizens.
Enforcement	Collect and publish labor law enforcement data, including information on inspectorate funding, worksite inspections, and routine targeted inspections.
	Ensure that labor inspectors receive trainings on laws and the enforcement of laws related to child labor.
Social Programs	Collect and publish data on the extent and nature of child labor to inform policies and programs.

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