Worst jobs for kids

CHILDREN in Fiji are subjected to the worst forms of child labour, including being used in pornography, drug trafficking and organised robberies.

This, according to the United States Department of Labor in its report “Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor — Fiji” which was released recently.

The report stated Fijian children also did dangerous agricultural work which included cutting and harvesting sugar cane.

It also revealed Fijian children were engaged in street work which included vending and selling fruits and other food, work in garages, working in retail shops and collecting scrap metal.

The report stated the worst forms of child labour in Fiji were the use of children in the production of pornography, in illicit activities including drug trafficking, and organised robberies.

“Although the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations (MEPIR) collected data on child labour, it did not publish the information,” the US report stated.

“Children are subjected to commercial sexual exploitation in Fiji, sometimes as a result of human trafficking, including by family members, taxidrivers, foreign tourists, businesspersons and crew on foreign fishing vessels.

“Research also shows that children in Fiji are subjected to online commercial sexual exploitation, including child pornography.

“Street children in Fiji are vulnerable to the worst forms of child labour such as commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking, selling illicit drugs and forced labour.

“These vulnerabilities are further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters.”

Questions sent to the permanent secretaries for the Ministry of Women and Children and Ministry of Employment remained unanswered when this story went to print.