At What Age?...
...are school-children employed, married and taken to court?
Belize
Source: CRC/C/3/Add. 46 Date: 7 February 1997 		back to table --»
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School-leaving age

214. Education and the operation of schools in Belize are governed by the Education Act. Under this Act, primary education is free to all students (S. 19 (1)), and education is compulsory for all children aged from 5 years up to the time they reach 14 years, with provision for the Minister of Education to raise this upper age limit to 15 years if considered "expedient" (S. 34).

Minimum age of employment

28. The legal minimum age for:

(c) Part-time employment is 12 years (Labour Act, Cap. 234, S. 169 (a));

(d) Full-time employment is 14 years (Labour Act, S. 54 (2));

(e) Hazardous employment is 14 years (Labour Act, S. 169 (g));

287. The Labour Act is the principal legislation which protects children and young persons from economic exploitation. The Act defines a child as under the age of 14 years and a young person as 14 years but less than 18 years of age. A child may not enter into a contract of employment, and a young person may only do so for employment approved by a labour officer as not being injurious to the moral or physical development of non-adults (S. 54). Similarly, the Shops Act (Cap. 231, S. 3 (1)) states that no child shall be employed in a shop.

291. Part XV also specifies the regulations governing the employment of children and, subject to any ministerial regulations (S. 170), precludes such employment for children aged under 12 years; for certain hours on schooldays, evenings and Sundays; in instances where there is heavy lifting or carrying; or in instances harmful to the child's physical condition or education (S. 169)

Minimum age for marriage

28. The legal minimum age for:

(g) A person to legally marry is 14 years. The Marriage Act states that the marriage of anyone under 14 years of age is void (S. 4 (1)), and that parental consent is required for the marriage of any person aged 14 years but less than 18 years (S.5(1))

Minimum age for criminal responsibility

28. The legal minimum age for:

k) Criminal liability is 7 years. A person under 18 years of age is liable to fines or imprisonment if convicted under the Representation of the People Act (Cap. 9, S. 27 (b)) (this concerns false claims in registration as an elector). The Criminal Code exempts a child under 7 years of age from criminal liability (S. 24 (1)). A child between the ages of 7 and 12 years inclusive who is not mature enough to judge the nature and consequence of his actions is also exempted (S.24 (2)).