World Day Against Child Labour will be commemorated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) on Sunday, June 12, 2016. “The health & resilience of any community depends on its future generation. Sint Maarten will be joining the global community in its fight to end all forms of child labour”, stated Minister Lee.

Although there are no known cases of child labour locally, this is a practice that government does not condone. The community of Sint Maarten is asked to remain vigilant and ensure that this practice is not carried out here in Sint Maarten, and if there are any known cases to please report them to the Inspectorate of Labour. The Minimum Age (Non-Industrial Employment) Convention, 1932 (No.33) of the ILO has been applicable to Sint Maarten as per October 10, 2010.

Here on Sint Maarten all forms of child labour are protected through legislation. The current legal national framework consists of: The ‘Arbeidsregeling’ (AB 2013, GT no. 356 and the ‘Arbeidsbesluit jeugdige personen’ (AB 2013, no. 532). The legislation forbids child labour for those under the age of 15 age in exchange for wages. Special rules apply to school children 16 and 17 years of age. In addition, the law prohibits persons under the age of 18 years to work overtime, at night or in activities dangerous to their physical and mental being.

It is therefore prohibited for children to work whether or not in exchange for wages or compensation with the exception of: activities for the benefit of the family where the child is being raised or activities in schools as long as these activities are of an educational nature and is not aimed at economic gain.

According to the ILO “child labour” is often defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development. In its most extreme forms, child labour involves children being enslaved, separated from their families, exposed to serious hazards and illnesses and/or left to fend for themselves on the streets often at a very early age.

Here on Sint Maarten there are no known cases of child labour, and the country will continue to do its utmost to protect our children from any forms of it, by enforcing the necessary laws and compliance.