There’s an increase in the number of young children roaming the streets trying to earn an income for their family by selling food parcels.
Save the Children Fiji Chief Executive Iris Low-McKenzie says this continuous trend sees children being exposed to many kinds of dangers and risks that might affect their education and future.
Low-McKenzie says there’s many reasons to why some children are engaged in income generating activities, but it all comes down to their family’s financial stress.
” We’re seeing more and more children on the streets trying to make a living for their families so we find that their either food, roti parcels mostly or cakes and pies and door mats. We also find that some of these children are from single headed households.”
Low-McKenzie says government has invested a lot in children, especially in education, and it’s vital that they grow up to be successful.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women and Children Dr Josefa Koroivueta says child labour can deprive children of their development.
” Issue here is about the violation of their rights, it’s the issue about irresponsible parenting, it’s the issue about their security and also the risks that they would exposed to at that time of the night and also it’s against child labour and to me in a simple stance is exploitation of children.”
He says that children should not be burdened with the welfare of their families as a child is meant to learn – not earn, and they will be working closely with police to address this issue.
