Labour Minister Pearnel Charles, last Friday, signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening the capacity of stakeholders and community groups to prevent child labour in Jamaica.

At the signing, Charles stressed that education was the main tool to empower people against the practice of child labour. He also warned parents and employers that it was illegal for children aged five to 13 to be part of the workforce. Additionally, the labour minister said parents who sought to exploit children's education for economic gain would face the full force of the law.

A US$1-million (J$87-million) project aimed at tackling the worst forms of child labour through education was also launched Friday.

The project is being funded by the European Commission and is being supported by the International Labour Organisation.