Fiji Police Officers trained on child labour issues

Preventing the abuse and exploitation of children in Fiji is a priority for the Ministry of Labour.

Suva, Fiji, 29 January, 2012. IN a bid to reduce and prevent the abuse and exploitation of children, the Labour Ministry's child labour unit conducted a two day-training for community policing officers.

Education and Labour Minister Filipe Bole said the training was aimed at creating awareness and helping the officers with issues related to child abuse, child labour, child protection, rights of children and responsibilities of parents and guardians as well as the role of the government and civil society organisations.

"Through this training we will form a network with the community policing officers who will assist the ministry in identifying potential child labour and worst forms of child labour cases," Mr Bole said.

More than 20 police officers from Suva, Nausori and Navua participated in the training which featured presentations from the International Labour Organisation, Education Ministry, Save the Children, and Foundation for Education of Needy Children, the child welfare unit of the Social Welfare Department and the National Employment Centre who dealt with child labour issues.

Mr Bole said the ministry required as much assistance from the community to stop children from being abused, exploited and disadvantaged.

"These officers will then help educate the community on the implications and adverse effects of child labour on the children, families, parents and community and the nation as a whole," he said.

(Fiji Times –Torika Tokalau)

For further information please contact:

Ms. Marie Fatiaki
National Project Officer – TACKLE
ILO Country Office for South Pacific Island Countries
Tel: +679 3313410
Email