UN commends efforts to end child labour

THE COVID-19 pandemic has worsened child labour but joint and decisive action can reverse this trend.

This, according to the United Nations (UN) who has also commended Fiji’s commitment to fighting child labour and pledged to expand co-operation through the entire UN system in support of the country’s efforts to end the practice.

UN resident co-ordinator Sanaka Samarasinha said child labour had decreased by 38 per cent in the last decade, but 152 million children were still affected globally.

“The work on child labour in Fiji has progressed and has resulted in the country accumulating considerable child labour expertise and experience in aligning national legislation with international standards relevant to children,” he said.

“All the same, there is much work still to be done and we are in this fight together to eradicate this terrible practice once and for all.”

Mr Samarasinha said the fight against child labour required strong partnerships at global, regional, national and community levels.

“There is a need to update research on the worst forms of child labour, including children in commercial sexual exploitation and drug-related offences.

“The impact of COVID-19 with respect to the possible increase in child labour needs to be better understood. Secondly, to raise awareness on child labour and worst forms of child labour reaching into communities across the country. Thirdly, to finalise and approve legal and policy frameworks to eliminate child labour in line with relevant international conventions.”

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa also made a call last week for everyone to make it their business to ensure children were in school and not engaging in labour.