The Young Peoples Concerned Network (YPCN) is calling for more policies that are youth friendly following revelations by the United Nations Childrens Fund that 158 million children aged 5-14 are engaged in child labour.

YPCN president Peter Waqavononvono said that close to 60% of Fiji's population are youths and though the National Youth Council was set up in 2006 who work with the Ministry of Youth, more still needs to be done.

Waqavonovono said at the moment, all the youth groups and policy makers need to be stream lined so that one parent body can be set up to address issues like teenage pregnancies, school drop-outs, drug usage and even child labour.

Meanwhile, Director for Social Welfare Ilisapeci Rokotunidau said figures in Fiji cannot be ascertained but more children are seen to be working as wheelbarrow boys, shoe shine boys and peanut sellers.

Waqavonovono said such issues will only be minimized if there is more youth focused initiatives to assist these youths at risk.