ILO REPORT ON CHILD LABOUR IN BARBADOS - International ...

• Section 52 (1) states that ‘If any person employs a child or young person contrary to
any of the provisions of this Part, he shall be liable to a fine of one thousand dollars.
• Section 52 (2) states that ‘If any parent or guardian of a child or young person has
consented to the commission of the alleged offence by willful default, or by
habitually neglecting to exercise due care, he shall be liable to the like fine.’
• Section 53 outlines the liability of the agent or employer.
• Section 54 protects against false certification or representation as to age.
• Section 56 protects children under the age of sixteen years from working on any ship
unless it is on a ship on which only members of the same family are employed or a
ship that is within the waters of the Bahamas.
• Section 57 (1) protects children from night work (those under 14 years).
• Section 57 (2) Allows a young person (14-18) to work under certain conditions:
• Not more than three hours in a school day. (8:30am - 4:00pm).
• Not more than twenty-four hours in a school week (implies Monday to Friday).
• Not more than eight hours in a non-school day, (implies Saturday or Sunday).
• Not more than forty hours in a non-school week (holidays).
The First Schedule Employment of Children (Section 50), states that for a period of five years
from the coming into operation of this Act, a child may be employed in the following
undertakings: grocery packers, gift wrappers, peanut vendors, newspaper vendors.
The Second Schedule (Section 57) Employment of Young Persons in Night Work states
that a young person may be employed in the following undertakings: hotels, restaurants,
food stores, general maintenance stores and gas stations.
The Third Schedule (Section 80) repeals Chapter 291 Employment of Children Prohibition
Act and Chapter 292 Employment of Young Persons Act.
‘Night work’ is described in the Act as any time between the hours of eight o’clock in the
evening and six o’clock in the morning.
Young people over 14 can therefore legally work after 8 pm for up to three hours on a school
day, up to 24 hours in a school week, up to eight hours during a non-school day, and 40 hours
during a non-school week.
Employment Protection
In reporting to the ILO on the application of ILO Convention No. 10 Minimum Age
(Agriculture) in 2001, the Bahamas noted that the provisions under Article 2 ‘are not
necessary because parents don’t use these children for farm work. They too insist that they
attend school. This is not a problem in the Bahamas.’
Compulsory Education
Legislation provides compulsory education to age 16 years.
Protection from Sexual Exploitation
Laws protecting children from sexual exploitation include:
• The Incest Act
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