Ministry speaks out against child labour
24-Jun-2009 09:54 AM

The Ministry of Education offered its support on Monday to the International Labor Organization (ILO) for the South Pacific, as it celebrated World Day Against Child Labour on June 12.

The ministry commented after a report was released by the police of cases of young girls being sold by their parents for various reasons, commenting that the situation is of great concern to the Ministry of Education.

The ministry said in their statement that “children are precious, and to exploit them, for whatever reason can never be justified.

“Defenseless as they are, this form of exploitation is loathsome and intolerable.”
The ministry commended the work of the Social Welfare, the Police Department and the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre as they work towards addressing this child labour problem.

As custodians of Fiji’s students, the ministry’s plea to all is to allow children to enjoy their childhood.

The ministry stated “children should be given the opportunity to realise their full potential by attending school and mixing with their contemporaries.

“They should be permitted to exercise their joy to childhood and just enjoy it as they learn, develop and indulge themselves in everything that is part of being a child.

“The definition of child labor does not need explaining and parents or guardians of children who are forced into the workforce are just as guilty as the employers, for they are contravening the ILO conventions.”

Currently there are over 200,000 students in our schools and all parents and guardians are commended for their commitment to the education of their children.

The Ministry of Education called on very parent, guardian and caregiver, community groups and religious organisations to support the ILO in its endeavors to curb child labour, for the benefit of our children.

They are to work with the Department of Social Welfare, Police and the Women Crisis Centre in curbing child labour.