An international monitoring body has called on the Fiji Government to enhance its efforts to progressively eliminate child labor, highlighting that a significant number of children continue to work despite existing laws and policy commitments. The latest report from the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations under the Minimum Age Convention emphasizes that while Fiji ratified the convention in 2003 and has made attempts to align its national legislation, challenges remain.
Since 2011, there have been 267 reported cases of child labor in Fiji, involving 196 boys and 71 girls, with five cases documented in 2024 alone—four boys and one girl. According to UNICEF’s 2024 country fact sheet, about 17 percent of children aged five to 11 in Fiji are engaged in child labor, with boys being disproportionately affected compared to girls.
The committee has strongly urged the government to bolster its initiatives aimed at the progressive eradication of child labor. It also pointed to the importance of reactivating the National Action Plan 2021–2025 and the National Child Labour Policy, which are set for formal adoption and implementation following the ongoing review of the Employment Relations Act (ERA) 2007.
Additionally, the committee requested regular updates from authorities on the adoption and implementation of these initiatives, as well as detailed statistics on the nature and trends of child labor, broken down by age and sex. They welcomed the announcement that proposed amendments to the ERA would raise the minimum working age from 15 to 16 years, expressing hope for the prompt adoption of the revised legislation.
This ongoing discussion reflects a commitment to protect children’s rights and welfare in Fiji, signifying a hopeful step towards a future where every child can thrive free from the burdens of labor.