Child labour ‘rife’

SOCIAL Welfare Department director Rupeni Fatiaki says his ministry receives complaints almost daily from members of the public about children selling food parcels or begging for money during school hours.

Mr Fatiaki said social welfare officers conducted spot checks on the areas identified and they addressed the issue by taking children back to their homes.

Mr Fatiaki said the Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Ministry had also identified a hotspot for child labour.

He said the Damodar

City complex had been identified as an area where most children were seen selling food parcels or begging for money during school hours.

He said the department worked with families to ensure children were put back in schools.

Mr Fatiaki said the department rendered assistance to families who were in need to ensure children returned to school.