247 children have been withdrawn from work and referred to the mainstream education system including technical and vocational training centres from 1st January 2010 till 31st December 2020.
Minister for Employment Parveen Bala says the Ministry has conducted a total of 34,173 labour inspections and spot checks regarding child labour and conditions of work during this time.
Bala says the Fijian Government through the Ministry of Employment, Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Fiji Police Force and other stakeholders have been heavily involved in tackling child labour cases.
He has stressed that simple work done after school like gardening and helping parents at home are not considered child labour as this is part of a child’s development.
However, Bala has warned that all children should be in school during school hours and any work carried out during this time is considered a child labour activity as it affects the child’s education and learning.
The Minister has also urged commentators speaking on child labour to see the work done by the government and also verify issues with the Ministry for factual and quality reporting.
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