By SITERI TALEITAKI
As we approach the cane harvesting season, a warning bell has been rung in the North as far as child labour is concerned.
The Ministry of Labour conducted a workshop at the Fiji Sugar Corporation training room on Thursday reminding the sugar cane growers about child labour.
The manager of the Child Labour Unit Northern Division, Atish Kumar, indicated child labour is practiced in the sugar cane farms and is something spotlighted by the Sugar Industry Tribunal.
“We have warned all the stakeholders in the sugar industry about this,” Mr Kumar said.
Parents have been urged to keep their children in school and not to send them out in the cane fields.
The tribunal is working with the Ministry of Labour to end child labour in the cane field.
Mr Kumar said parents need to be made aware of relevant laws regarding children.
He also stressed teachers should be provided support and professional development opportunities to handle children at risk of child labour.
Effect on Fairtrade Certification
Mr Kumar further highlighted the practice of child labour would delay the Fairtrade Certification for the cane industry.
“Fairtrade is a global certification organisation that encourages growers to plant and harvest cane ethically accordingly to strict guidelines,” he said.
“These include the non-use of child labour and chemical fertilisers.”