Fee free education, the abolishment of external examinations in primary and lower secondary schools, free transport to students who qualify under a means test, provisions of education facilities to non-government schools and the creation of the parallel skill board for Technical Vocational Education Training in schools have been hailed by the Ministry of Labour permanent secretary Mr Taito Waqa as measures which support the vision to eradicate child labour in Fiji.
He was speaking at the official launch of the child labour research and actions programmes at the Holiday Inn in Suva on Thursday.
Mr Waqa said the Fiji Government reiterated its poverty alleviation policies, which were reflected in the increase allocation for assistance towards poverty alleviation in 2011 to $70 million, compared to $54m in 2010.
“For example, the allocations of free bus fare and food voucher programmes are $12 and $11m respectively with a cash grant of $40 to $60 per child per month will be paid in respect of orphans,” Mr Waqa said.
Mr Waqa said this was in addition to Family Assistance Allowance of $60 to $100 per month, electricity subsidy of $3.5m, housing assistance of $10m and a tax threshold of $15,000 with Government’s commitment to establish a minimum wage for the first time by 2012.
“These poverty alleviation policies and programmes are aimed at providing social protection and security for all categories of the poor including children.”
-End-