One of the worst forms of Child Labour in Fiji exists in the scrap metal industry.
This is according to the International Labour Organization which was revealed at a workshop on child labour this morning which stated that the type of work for children has been highlighted as hazardous and also hard physical work.
Labour Minister Jone Usumate said that whilst statistics are not available on the forms of child labour in Fiji, the existence of child labour is nonetheless real.
Manager for Child Labour Unit Atish Kumar said that as part of the Tackle initiative, 80 specialist officers have managed to put children back in school who were subjected to Child Labour.
Kumar said that under the Employment Regulation Promulgation Fiji if a commercial entity was found to employ a child under 15 years of age they would face a fine of $50,000 and for individuals a fine of $10,000.
At the 4 day workshop on Child Labour Kumar said that the aim is to formulate a National Action Plan to eradicate the problem of child labour in Fiji.
Story by: Gwen Mc Goon
