‘Children below 18 should be at school, not at work’

Employers have been reminded of the importance of understanding legislations governing child safety policies in the workplace.

Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation resounded the warning, saying children below the school age of 18 should be at school – not at work.

The warning follows revelation that some parents combined school attendance with excessively long and heavy work.

The Federation said children under the age of 18 have not really grown to full adulthood, and any interference would stunt their growth.

“Simple work done after school - like gardening and helping parents at home - are not considered to be child labour, as it is part of a child’s development,” chief executive officer, Kameli Batiweti said.

“Children are expected to be in school during school hours; any work carried out during normal school hours is considered a child labour activity, as it affected the child’s education and learning.”

As a start, employers must ensure that no employee should be below the age of 18.

Children may engage in light work employment or in a workplace, where;

• The employment is not likely to be harmful to the health or development of the child; employment prejudices the child’s attendance at school, participation in vocational orientation or training programmes FCEF supports any policy or legislation that safeguards the child and their rights.