Table 1. Statistics on Children’s Work and Education

In 2014, Jamaica made a moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The Government conducted three assessments on child labor and released the Jamaica Multiple Cluster Survey report, which included information about children in the areas of health, education, child protection, and HIV/AIDS. Jamaica also expanded the Program for Advancement through Health and Education, a conditional cash transfer program, to reach more vulnerable families. In addition, the Government updated the curriculum for new police recruits by including an anti-trafficking training module. However, children in Jamaica are engaged in child labor, including in street work and in the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation. Although the Government has laws prohibiting the use of children in some illicit activities, it does not prohibit the use of children for drug trafficking and production. In addition, programs to combat child labor are insufficient to adequately address the extent of the problem. I. PREVALENCE AND SECTORAL DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD LABOR Children in Jamaica are engaged in child labor, including in street work. Children are also engaged in the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation.(1-4) Table 1 provides key indicators on children’s work and education in Jamaica