Dancehall child star QQ, who gave the world the exciting Stookie and Ruum Ram and the thought-provoking Better Must Come and Poverty, has been grounded by Jamaicas child labour laws, and forced to return several deposits for shows in the United States over the summer holidays.
An inside source told XtraNews that the Jamaican government has threatened to impose sanctions against GQ, QQs father who also manages his career, if the child performs in the United States, even though he has a US work permit. The authorities have also confiscated the young stars travel documents.
QQ is the youngest child star in the Caribbean and they are trying to stifle him and cut GQ (the childs father) out of the management of the yute. They want an advocate around him and any monies or possible shows have to go through that channel. Is like dem a say GQ not good enough to work with QQ, but dem can govern it, the source said.
Right now, is all of nine shows get cancel fi QQ. Dem threaten fi lock up GQ, and hold on to QQ when him come through the airport. Look how much little yute a sell bag juice and wipe car glass, but as dem see QQ glory, dem waan fi stop it.
The QQ Shutdown by Jamaican authorities comes at a time during the potentially lucrative summer season when QQ is away from school and able to fully engage in performances at stage shows.
Right now, GQ ah face possible charges, the court waan him to carry bank statement, and contracts next time him go court inna September. Dem waan know exactly how much money QQ ah earn. Is like dem a build a case against him, the source said.
The childs father, GQ, whose real name is Joseph Dawkins, is facing possible criminal charges arising out of the contravention of child labour laws, and allowing his son to be working illegally.
The authorities have even threatened to go for QQ at school and take him to a home if GQ does not comply with the courts orders. They dont feel that he is a suitable guardian, the source said.
Kareem QQ Dawkins just completed first form at Calabar High School.
When contacted, GQ said that he could not speak on the matter as it was still before the Family Court, but said that he was being persecuted because he was a street man and QQ is not an Issa or Butch Stewart pickney. He said authorities first approached him on April 18 this year. He is to return to court in September. Under the Child Care & Protection Act, sections 33 through 44 deal specifically with matters of child labour.
No child is supposed to be employed under the age of 13. A child may, however, be employed between the ages of 13 and 15 in certain occupations, but we are still working on finalizing the list, Marva Ximinnies, director of the IPEC unit which operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour & Social Security, said.
Children should not be employed, and if they are to be employed, certain conditions have to be met, and if someone is found in contravention of these laws, there are penalties. The penalty is the maximum fine of $500,000 or six months imprisonment at hard labour.
Glitch said
14:24 08/10 2007
As weh Busy Signal said in one of his latest songs " Why People so evil"......
CALOSS said
21:59 08/10 2007
di yute young an him hav school, dem jus badmind.!
Dancehall child star QQ, who gave the world the exciting Stookie and Ruum Ram and the thought-provoking Better Must Come and Poverty, has been grounded by Jamaicas child labour laws, and forced to return several deposits for shows in the United States over the summer holidays.
Under the Child Care & Protection Act, sections 33 through 44 deal specifically with matters of child labour.
The penalty is the maximum fine of $500,000 or six months imprisonment at hard labour.