2001 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Cayman Islands (territory of the United Kingdom)

Bureau of International Labor Affairs, 2001 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Cayman Islands (territory of the United Kingdom), United States Department of Labor, 7 June 2002, https://www.refworld.org/reference/annualreport/usdol/2002/en/61271 [accessed 19 April 2024]
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There is limited information regarding the extent and nature of child labor and the quality and provision of education in non-independent countries and territories eligible for GSP, AGOA and CBTPA benefits. These areas generally are not eligible to become members of the ILO, and Convention 138 and Convention 182 do not apply to any of them.[2794]

Statistics on the number of working children under the age of 15 in the Cayman Islands are unavailable, but children reportedly work bagging groceries in supermarkets. According to the government, there are also subcultures within the islands where it is acceptable for children to work instead of attending school.[2801] Children under the age of 16 may not work during school hours,[2802] and children of school age are prohibited from lifting, carrying, or moving anything heavy that may cause them injury.[2803] Children cannot work at night between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m, for more than eight hours on a non-school day, or for more than two hours after school.[2804] The Department of Social Services is responsible for child labor laws and issues.[2805]

Education in the Cayman Islands is free and compulsory for 10 years.[2806] In 1995, the gross primary enrollment rate was 113.5 percent and the net primary enrollment rate was 100 percent.[2807] The government developed an Education Development Plan for 1995-1999 to support strategies designed to improve the quality of its schools. The plan included strategies to establish a national standards-based curriculum, develop and implement a personal education plan for every student, establish individual and school accountability, strengthen the relationship between parents, students and teachers, and ensure continuous staff development.[2808]

[2794] Natan Elkin, ILO, electronic correspondence to USDOL official, January 31, 2002. Most of the areas covered in this summary report are considered by the ILO to be non-metropolitan territories and therefore, are ineligible to become members of the ILO. An ILO member can submit a declaration to the ILO requesting that these conventions apply to their non-metropolitan territories.

[2801] Deanna Look Loy, director of social services, Department of Social Services, Cayman Islands, British West Indies, letter to USDOL official, September 23, 2000 [hereinafter Loy letter].

[2802] Douglas Banks, chief labor officer, Cayman Islands, interview with USDOL official, September 13, 2000 [hereinafter Banks interview].

[2803] Loy letter

[2804] Ibid.

[2805] Banks interview.

[2806] Ibid. See also UNESCO statistics [hereinafter UNESCO statistics] at http://www.uis.unesco.org/statsen/statistics/yearbook/tables/Table3_1.h….

[2807] UNESCO, Education for All: Year 2000 Assessment, [CD-ROM] [hereinafter Education for All: Year 2000 Assessment].

[2808] UNESCO, The Education for All (EFA) 2000 Assessment: Country Reports – Cayman Islands, at http://www2.unesco.org/wef/countryreports/cayman/rapport_1.html.

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