Photos and interviews by Shabna Ullah
Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir recently announced that he was considering changing the labour legislation to allow children as young as 13 years old to do some jobs. Currently children from 15 years old can do some jobs. This week we asked the people in the street if they think the age should be lowered and got these responses:
Cayume Yaseen, Businessman/Canada-based Guyanese: ‘I think lowering the age from 15 to 13 is wrong because we have enough people in the country who are of the working age. We should find a way to bring them in employment rather than keeping them unemployed.
‘The children below the age of 15 should be kept at school and focus more on their education. We also need to open up a system where we could teach them good morals. Employing kids from that age can lead not only to child labour but to immoral activities. As we know the world is trying to fight against slavery especially child slavery which is taking place in some Asian countries. Let us do not be a part of that because it is a failure. What I know is very successful in North America and England, is volunteering. We should encourage the children to volunteer at places such as at hospitals and government offices as that can lead them into making decisions about a career.
‘When we educate them it would be better in the long run. We cannot use children to bring in income because this can have adverse effects; they can become disrespectful. Parents would not be able to offer suitable advice or give them a good upbringing because they may become the breadwinner of the home. As a parent of three kids who are all professionals and as a grandparent I would definitely advise against such law.’
Benita Rodrigues, salesgirl: ‘That is bad to lower the age because at 13 children need to be in school and further their studies. If they are educated they would be kept away from negative activities such as stealing and killing to earn a faster living. You find that in some cases children who tend to start working early would be so accustomed to having their own money that if at some point they do not have a steady job they would start stealing. When they start working early people can encourage them to get into drugs and they would also become unruly. If they continue that behaviour then they would not be able to set good examples when they have their own children. I find too that in some schools in Berbice there are teachers who just came out of school. They are too young and cannot control some of the children. During school hours these students can be seen on the road. The government should look into that instead of allowing them to work at age 13 – that is child labour.’
Zameen Hussain, housewife: ‘I do not think lowering the age is a problem because there are still a lot of persons at that age working, anyway. You find that some parents are poor and they need the children, especially the older ones, to assist with the income. I agree that children should be in school and take their education but not all of them can take it. In most cases children are taken out of school because they are not performing well and parents feel their money is being wasted. Some children look big at 13 so I think that is good that what the government is doing because it would help out the children to do something for themselves and their parents.’
Alicia Balkarran, housewife: ‘I think 13 years is too small for children to start working. If that happens then a lot of children who are at school would want to quit so they too can earn an income. At that age they need to be at school and upgrade themselves. Even if it is just for a few hours per week they would be working it is not good enough. I feel that it can lead to children getting involved in crime because they can be easily influenced. Employers can also exploit them because of their age.’
Neelkanth Nipikra, marriage officer: ‘I feel it is a wise idea to change the laws so that children from that age can do some jobs. A lot of children leave school at that age especially if they come from single parent homes. Some may do so because of wayward behaviour or because of peer pressure. If they cannot take their education then it is ok for them to work. However it would also be better for them to learn a trade such as mechanical, carpentry or sewing so no one can take advantage of them.’
Bernadine Munroe, housewife: ‘No way, I do not think the age should be lowered. The children need to stay in school and take an education and improve their knowledge.
‘They cannot know if they would be able to make it at school unless they try. Some of the schools also teach different crafts such as woodwork and home economics which students can benefit greatly from.
‘After they write the exams they can get good jobs. Many children still cannot do things for themselves at 13. Why would parents want their children to start working so young? Some parents allow their children to have their own way and they cannot control them; if the children do not want to go to school they cannot say anything.’
Sandra Persaud, waitress: ‘I think it is a good idea to lower the age because they would be occupied. Presently a lot of children that I know have dropped out of school and are wasting time. Many of them are only walking all over the road. Some are stealing and getting into trouble with people. My point is that if they get to work the petty crimes would ease up. I also think that the government can provide some form of training for them so they can become independent.’
Glendon Joseph, mason: ‘I do not think it is right to lower the age. It is good when they start working, but at 16 when they complete secondary school, is a good age. They should take their education first. When children start handling money at an early age they would think they are big and start being unruly and disrespectful to their parents. Some children at that age are also getting involved in drugs and other illegal activities.
‘Cost of living is very high and there are no proper jobs available to older people.’
Richlyn Smith, businesswoman: ‘I think 13-year-old children are still too little and shouldn’t be out working at that age. They should be in school and gain knowledge.
‘There is a lot more to learn and to offer in this life than to go out and work. At age 13 children need to learn about teenage pregnancy and its consequences, drugs and other negative activities. Parents, as well as the school and church can also play a big role in that.
‘Children are putting themselves at risk of being taken advantage of when they start working so young. They would also miss out on a lot of benefits that their peers may be enjoying. On the other hand, I do not have a problem with these children doing part-time jobs during the school holidays. They would get a sense of responsibility and it would expose them to the working-world. But, they need to focus on their education. They can be in school and still learn craft-making – privately.’
Kwessi Alder, cosmetologist: ‘To me even 15 years is too small for children to start working, let alone 13. They have a lot more to learn and besides they are still immature and would not be able to cope with the pressures out there.
They would have to do any kind of job. They may also be exploited because they do not have a proper education. These children need to be in school and be well-educated and then get a job at age 18. Parents should not deny their children the right to an education. It is their duty to take care of their children. Society and the government can also play a role in assisting poverty-stricken families and ensure that the children attend school. The children would see what they want to become so they can end up taking their parents out of desperate situations.’
