There are revelations that some children are being used by beggars to gain public sympathy and in some cases the children do not even belong to the beggars.
The Social Welfare Ministry will now work with Fiji Police Force, Local Government Ministry and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to address the issue of begging in Fiji.
In 2010 the ministry had carried out profiling exercise and had found that more than 40 beggars beg on the streets of Suva alone.
According to Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Dr. Josefa Koroivueta some existing beggars exploit children into child prostitution, abuse and other crimes.
He added that disabled persons and children are being used as emotional ransom to lure the public to give money.
The Ministry said the real intention behind begging needs to be determined and addressed.
Story by: Praneeta Prakash & Gwen McGoon
