More Jamaicans are being implored to speak out against the scourge of child labour.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security Colette Roberts Risden made the call in a speech delivered on her behalf by director at the Ministry, Gillian Corrodus at a Child Labour video competition awards ceremony held recently at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston.

She said that adults have a duty to protect children against exploitation and to steer them away from child labour, and called for more voices to be raised against the issue.

“Child labour is one of the greatest challenges facing our society and yet, it is an issue of which so little is said. It has been perpetrated on those among us that are the most vulnerable and voiceless for decades and perhaps centuries, tolerated and ignored, quietly eating away at the fabric of our society, and contributing to many of the blatant social ills with which we grapple and for which we seek solutions,” she said.

Roberts Risden noted that the impact of child labour is far-reaching and can have long-lasting effects on a child’s access to education, as well as their physical, emotional and mental health.

She said that it also robs children of their childhood, hinders their development and violates their human rights.

The Permanent Secretary said that while the ministry is committed to promoting decent work for all, children are not a part of the workforce and they have the fundamental right to education, play and safety.

“We believe that it is our duty to protect Jamaica’s children from exploitation and ensure that their rights are respected and upheld,” she stressed.

The Jamaica Youth Activity Survey 2016 indicates that an estimated 38,000 children in the country, ages five to 17, are involved in child labour, with Clarendon, St Elizabeth, St Andrew and St Catherine having the highest cases.

While the ministry has implemented measures to address the issue, society has a key role to play in eradicating the scourge.

Roberts Risden said that the Child Labour video competition was organised by the Ministry to raise public awareness about the existence and dangers of child labour and to further sensitise members of society about their individual roles in protecting the rights of children.

Children were invited to submit videos expressing how they feel about child labour.

“We wanted the Jamaican population to hear the cry for help from the children themselves and so we used this competition to encourage them to use their voices and creativity to advocate for change,” Roberts Risden noted.

She said that the quality of the entries was “truly remarkable” and served as a testament of the commitment of young people to making a difference in the world.

“I am proud to see such a high level of creativity and passion in our young people,” she noted.

“I encourage you all to continue using your voices and creativity to raise awareness among your peers and the adults with whom you come into contact. Continue to be advocates. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of children and build a better future for all,” she said.