Fiji has been selected as one of the few countries as a pathfinder country to end child labour.
Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Osea Cawaru said Fiji welcomed the confidence placed on the various structures of governance after being announced as a leader in the fight against child labour.
“I am glad to announce that the International Labour Organization (ILO) has chosen Fiji as a pathfinder Country for the Sustainable Development Goal alliance 8.7 on ‘Ending Child Labour’ with calls on the global community to take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery, human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of worst forms of child labour,” he said.
“The 2013 Fijian Constitution under Chapter 2 on the Bill of Rights has given the highest protection to all Fijian children in ensuring that they have the right to Education, including specific provision on children’s rights,” Mr Cawaru added.
“This is indeed an outcome of a visionary and caring Government which ensures that No child is left behind as we move together as one Nation.”
Government, he says has also put in place measures to ensure that all Fijian children are given the utmost support and care in their upbringing putting in place a range of initiatives for the benefit of all.
“Our Government led by our Honorable Prime Minister has created an enabling environment for all Fijian Children to pursue their dreams through the provision of free education, textbooks, and transportation to school,” he said.
“For the 2018-2019 financial year, we have provided over a billion dollars to the education sector which inidcates government’s commitment to providing better and accessible education for all children.”
He added that the Education Reforms included teacher training programs which had impacted the lives of Fijians in the quest to build a knowledge-based Fiji.