Child Labour Training to Build Capacity of Frontline Workers

Today, at the Biltmore Plaza in Belize City, the Ministry of Labour held a seminar for frontline workers from across various ministries. The child labour training seeks to develop the capacity of the participants to understand what child labour is, how to identify it and what can be done to eradicate child labour. Minister of Labour Oscar Requeña says that the idea is to provide greater opportunities for children to grow in a very safe nurturing environment.  Minister Requeña speaks about the implementation of the Child Labour Policy and the aim to reduce all forms of child labour by 2025.

Oscar Requeña

Oscar Requeña, Minister of Labour

“Whilst on a global level we see increases in child labour, for the region, particularly for Latin America and even for us in Belize, we are seeing that there is a reduction in the forms of child labour. And I want to say that as a government we are being very proactive since taking over government. In July, we developed a very comprehensive Child Labour Policy and we are working very diligently with our labour officers across the country and other stakeholders, our frontline workers. And that is why we are having this training because we want them to fully understand what is the Child Labour Policy that we have and what is their role in ensuring that the Child Labour Policy is implemented and that we reduce all forms of child labour by 2025.”

Reporter

“How close are we to that goal?”

Oscar Requeña

“Well it is a working progress and I can say to you that our ministry if very committed and as a government, you know of our international obligations. We signed off on a lot of these conventions and I want to say to you that we are very much proud that we are working on that to ensure that Convention 138 and other conventions are adhered to and we work diligently to ensure that we reduce child labour.”