Social statistics related to youth are grim, if not alarming, with 24 percent of young people aged 15-24 classified as NEET – meaning they are not in school, not in employment and not in training.
Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry, speaking at the Party’s Annual Delegates Conference in Nadi, highlighted that unemployment among youth is high, with one in five young Fijians reportedly out of work, according to the 2017 census.
He says that the situation today is likely even worse.
Chaudhry stressed that additional challenges such as drug and alcohol abuse, mental health issues, the spread of HIV, youth-related crime, poverty and homelessness are also critical issues linked to youth problems.
He says we hear about workshops, seminars and government initiatives taking place to address these issues, but many question how effective these measures have been.
Chaudhry warned that Fiji is losing a vital human resource as disillusioned youth leave the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
He says we are losing the future leaders of Fiji and there is an urgent need to invest in young people to retain them and cultivate tomorrow’s leadership.
With youth making up 44 percent of the population, Chaudhry stressed that a holistic, integrated approach is essential to tackle poverty, housing, healthcare, education, training and employment issues.
He says that economic revival is critical to reducing unemployment, while agricultural development can strengthen rural sectors and create jobs outside urban centres.
Chaudhry says the Labour Party has long advocated for a National Service Scheme that would provide skills training, paid community service, and employment opportunities for unemployed youth.
He further emphasised the party’s commitment to developing sports and arts academies, offering training and career opportunities for talented young Fijians who may not follow traditional academic paths.
The FLP Leader adds that they will invest heavily in the well-being of the younger generation.
