We Need Our Children’s Help: Cane Farmers
Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Ashneel Sudhakar will look into ways where some provision can be made to allow children to help parents in sugarcane farms.
This was after Satendra Nath, a sugarcane farmer revealed his problems during the National Sugar Industry Policy consultation at Vunimoli, Labasa on Friday. “Children now days don’t want to help their parents in the farm because they clearly say there is a labour law where children below the age of 18 are not allowed to work,” Mr Nath said.
“As time goes on they focus on education and refuse to help their elderly parents in the sugarcane farm.
“They even refuse to bring food for us to the farm or load few cane in the truck.
“In the olden days whole household members used to be involved in sugarcane farming. “Daughters used to prepare and bring meals for parents and labourers in the farm.
“Sons used to help fathers harvest and load cane.
“Even school children used to help their parents in the farm after school.
Mr Nath suggested if the Government could make a flexible law where children could assist their parents in the farm.
In this way he said some children could learn how to do farming and in future they choose to continue farming when their parents become old.
“We need someone to look after us.” Mr Sudhakar responded saying child labour law came into effect to protect the rights of children.
“It was found that children were not sent to school by parents and instead put to work in the farm or do housework,” Mr Sudhakar said. “Our Government wants children in the country not to be deprived of education.
“When they are supposed to be in school Govenrment wants them to be in school.
“That is why the Government has provided much kind of assistances “I am not promising to change law or make children work in the farm,” he said.
“The team who are present at this consultation will have discussion on this as we are aware that young generation do not want to do farming.
“There are many old people working in the farms.
“We are looking into ways to encourage young people to help their parents on the farm.
“I was also a son of a farmer and used to help my parents in cane field and look today.
“I am now a lawyer and politician,” Mr Sudhakar said.