Child Labor and Forced Labor Reports
Grenada
No Advancement
Although research found no evidence that child labor exists in Grenada, in 2022, the government made no advancement in efforts to prevent the worst forms of child labor. The government's ability to prevent children from being subjected to the worst forms of child labor is limited because existing laws require the use of force, threats, abuse of power, or other forms of coercion, and therefore do not comprehensively prohibit child trafficking. Grenada has also not identified activities prohibited for children or criminally prohibited the use, procuring, or offering of a child for all forms of commercial sexual exploitation. In addition, the government has not published data on labor inspectorate funding.
Table 1 provides key indicators on children's work and education in Grenada. Data on some of these indicators are not available from the sources used in this report.
Children | Age | Percent |
---|---|---|
Working (% and population) | 5 to 14 | Unavailable |
Attending School (%) | 5 to 14 | Unavailable |
Combining Work and School (%) | 7 to 14 | Unavailable |
Primary Completion Rate (%) | 123.0 |
Source for primary completion rate: Data from 2018, published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2023. (1)
Data were unavailable from International Labor Organization's analysis, 2023. (2)
Research found no evidence that child labor exists in Grenada.
Grenada has ratified all key international conventions concerning child labor (Table 2).
Convention | Ratification |
---|---|
ILO C. 138, Minimum Age | ✓ |
ILO C. 182, Worst Forms of Child Labor | ✓ |
UN CRC | ✓ |
UN CRC Optional Protocol on Armed Conflict | ✓ |
UN CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography | ✓ |
Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons | ✓ |
The government has established laws and regulations related to child labor (Table 3). However, gaps exist in Grenada's legal framework to adequately protect children from the worst forms of child labor, including the minimum age for hazardous work.
Standard | Meets International Standards | Age | Legislation |
---|---|---|---|
Minimum Age for Work | Yes | 16 | Articles 32 and 35 of the Employment Act (3) |
Minimum Age for Hazardous Work | No | ||
Identification of Hazardous Occupations or Activities Prohibited for Children | No | Article 40 of the Employment Act (3) | |
Prohibition of Forced Labor | Yes | Article 25 of the Employment Act; Article 4 of the Constitution; Articles 2 and 9–12 of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act (3-5) | |
Prohibition of Child Trafficking | No | Articles 2, 9–11, and 14 of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act (5) | |
Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children | No | 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 (5-8) | |
Prohibition of Using Children in Illicit Activities | Yes | Articles 22 and 23 of the Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act (9) | |
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 | No | ||
Compulsory Education Age | Yes | 16 | Articles 2 and 15 of the Education Act (10) |
Free Public Education | No | Article 16 of the Education Act (10) |
† Country has no standing military (11)
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. (3) 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. (3,10) 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. (5) 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. (5,7) 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. (10)
The government has established relevant institutional mechanisms for the enforcement of laws and regulations on child labor (Table 4).
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. (12) 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. (12) 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). (12,13) |
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. (14) 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. (15) |
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) | Represents the State of Grenada and is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in lower and high courts. Authorized to institute, overtake, or discontinue criminal prosecutions. (12) Functions independently, with overarching oversight of all public prosecutions. (12) |
Labor Law Enforcement
In 2022, labor law enforcement agencies in Grenada took actions to address child labor (Table 5). However, gaps exist within the operations of enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate labor law enforcement, including insufficient financial resource and human resource allocation.
Overview of Labor Law Enforcement | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|
Labor Inspectorate Funding | Unknown (15) | Unknown (12) |
Number of Labor Inspectors | 5 (15) | 4 (12) |
Mechanism to Assess Civil Penalties | Yes (3) | Yes (3) |
Training for Labor Inspectors Provided | N/A (15) | No (12) |
Number of Labor Inspections Conducted at Worksite | 54 (15) | 45 (12) |
Number of Child Labor Violations Found | 0 (15) | 0 (12) |
Number of Child Labor Violations for Which Penalties Were Imposed | N/A (15) | N/A (12) |
Number of Child Labor Penalties Imposed that Were Collected | N/A (15) | N/A (12) |
Routine Inspections Conducted | Yes (15) | Yes (12) |
Routine Inspections Targeted | Yes (15) | Yes (12) |
Unannounced Inspections Permitted | Yes (3) | Yes (3) |
Unannounced Inspections Conducted | Yes (15) | Yes (12) |
Complaint Mechanism Exists | Yes (15) | Yes (12) |
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Labor Authorities and Social Services | Yes (15) | Yes (12) |
While research indicates that the budget for the Ministry of Labor is estimated to have decreased from the previous year, the amount allocated to the labor inspectorate is unknown. (12) The government directly employed four labor inspectors to enforce labor laws, a decrease for the second year in a row. (12,13,15) Labor inspectors also did not receive training during the reporting period on laws and enforcement of laws related to child labor. (12) There were no child labor‐specific inspections conducted as there is no evidence of child labor in Grenada. However, site visits were conducted in the construction, business services, manufacturing, agriculture, public service, telecommunications, and hospitality and tourism sectors. (12)
Criminal Law Enforcement
Research did not find information on whether criminal law enforcement agencies in Grenada took actions to address child labor. (Table 6).
Overview of Criminal Law Enforcement | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|
Training for Criminal Investigators Provided | Yes (15) | Yes (12) |
Number of Investigations | 0 (15) | 0 (12) |
Number of Prosecutions Initiated | N/A (15) | N/A (12) |
Number of Convictions | N/A (15) | N/A (12) |
Imposed Penalties for Violations Related to the Worst Forms of Child Labor | N/A (15) | N/A (12) |
Reciprocal Referral Mechanism Exists Between Criminal Authorities and Social Services | Yes (15) | Yes (12) |
The government releases annual reports on its criminal law enforcement efforts and crime statistics. (12)
As there is no evidence of a problem, there appears to be no need for mechanisms 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.
As there is no evidence of a problem, there appears to be no need for programs to address child labor.
For information about USDOL's projects to address child labor around the world, visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/ilab-project-page-search
Based on the reporting above, the following actions would advance the continued prevention of child labor in Grenada (Table 7).
Area | Suggested Action | Year(s) Suggested |
---|---|---|
Legal Framework | Determine by national law or regulation the types of hazardous work prohibited for children, after consultation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. | 2009 – 2022 |
Ensure that the minimum age for hazardous work is age 18. | 2009 – 2022 | |
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. | 2014 – 2022 | |
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. | 2015 – 2022 | |
Enact legislation prohibiting the use, procuring, or offering of a child for all forms of commercial sexual exploitation. | 2016 – 2022 | |
Ensure that the law criminally prohibits the recruitment of children under age 18 by non-state armed groups. | 2016 – 2022 | |
Ensure that laws providing free basic education include all children in Grenada, including non-citizens. | 2021 – 2022 | |
Enforcement | Provide sufficient funding and human resources to allow agencies responsible for the enforcement of labor laws to fulfill their mission. | 2015 – 2022 |
Collect and publish labor law enforcement data, including information on inspectorate funding and the training system for labor inspectors. | 2016 – 2022 | |
Ensure that labor inspectors receive trainings on laws and enforcement of laws related to child labor. | 2022 | |
Social Programs | Collect and publish data on the extent and nature of child labor, including the worst forms of child labor, to inform policies and programs. | 2009 – 2022 |
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, both sexes (%). Accessed March 15, 2023. For more information, please see "Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions" in the Reference Materials section of this report.
http://data.uis.unesco.org/ - ILO. Analysis of Child Economic Activity and School Attendance Statistics from National Household or Child Labor Surveys. Analysis received March 2023. Please see “Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions” in the Reference Materials section of this report.
- Government of Grenada. Employment Act, Act No. 14 of 1999. Enacted: 1999.
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/WEBTEXT/53925/65176/E99GRD01.htm - Government of Grenada. Constitution, No. 2155 of 1973. Enacted: 1973.
http://pdba.georgetown.edu/constitutions/grenada/gren73eng.html - Government of Grenada. Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act. Enacted: June 11, 2014. Source on file.
- Government of Grenada. Electronic Crimes Bill. Enacted: October 3, 2013.
https://nowgrenada.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Electronic-Crimes-Bill.pdf?x65460 - Government of Grenada. Criminal Code. Enacted: January 20, 1987.
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/95182/111978/F2077022491/GRD95182.PDF - Government of Grenada. Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, No. 29 of 2012. Enacted: 2012. Source on file.
- Government of Grenada. Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act, No. 7 of 1992.
https://laws.gov.gd/index.php?option=com_edocman&view=category&id=710&Itemid=184 - Government of Grenada. Education Act, No. 21 of 2002. Enacted: 2002.
https://laws.gov.gd/index.php?option=com_edocman&view=category&id=717&Itemid=185 - U.S. Department of State. Country Report on Human Rights Practices- 2021: Grenada. Washington, D.C., April 12, 2022.
https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/grenada/ - U.S. Embassy- Bridgetown. Reporting. January 12, 2023.
- U.S. Embassy- Bridgetown. Reporting. February 12, 2021.
- U.S. Embassy- Bridgetown official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. March 22, 2022.
- U.S. Embassy- Bridgetown. Reporting. January 18, 2022.
your hand? Download ILAB's Sweat & Toil App today!