Child labour

ILO supports child labour e-learning programmes in Fijian schools

A partnership of the ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries and the Fiji Ministry of Employment, Productivity & Industrial Relations

News | 12 June 2022
Contact(s): rajbm@ilo.org
Tablets were handed over to children from selected schools, Nadi, Fiji.
NADI, Fiji (ILO News) – The ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries in partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Employment, Productivity & Industrial Relations has provided 10 tablets that will support the studies of school children with e-learning programmes and encourage them to also continue to learn more about child labour.

At an event to observe World Day against Child Labour 2022 in Nadi, Fiji, the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Youth and Sports, Hon. Parveen Bala said “Through Government’s Digitization process and ensuring that our children get access to better ICT tools, I’m proud to announce, with the assistance of ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries, we will provide each of the participating schools today with computer tablets and a child labour information package to ensure the process of teaching and learning on what child labour is becomes easier for the schools.”

The Director ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries, Matin Karimli, addressing the student representatives at the event said “I am so glad that you have taken time to be part of this event. When I look at you, I see the bright future of this country and the region. Please remember that Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”.

Mr. Karimili said “I would like to assure you that ILO will continue to support the government and our social partners to further develop programmes and projects that support Decent Work for all.”

12 June marks the World Day Against Child Labour under the theme “Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour.” On this day, the ILO, together with its constituents and partners, is calling for increased investment in social protection systems and schemes to establish solid social protection floors and protect children from child labour.

Students and teachers join ILO and Fijian Government officals for a group photo, Nadi, Fiji.
Social protection is both a human right and a potent policy tool to prevent families from resorting to child labour in times of crisis. However, as of 2020 and before the COVID-19 crisis took hold, only 46.9 per cent of the global population were effectively covered by at least one social protection benefit. Coverage for children is even lower. Nearly three quarters of children, 1.5 billion, lacked social protection.


For more information on social protection and child labour see the report: The role of social protection in the elimination of child labour: Evidence review and policy implications