Transferring the responsibility of caring for the children of migrant workers to extended families carries significant risks of child abuse. Reverend James Bhagwan, the General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), emphasized the importance of taking children’s protection seriously.
Reverend Bhagwan highlighted that recent cases of abuse have arisen from extended family members when children are left unsupervised. He posed the question of how to address these issues, cautioning against families carelessly assuming that someone else will look after the kids.
He noted that child protection systems have faltered, leading to instances of abuse not only in the context of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme but also regarding children’s relocation from rural to urban areas for schooling. Concerns about human trafficking and other related issues have also emerged.
The PCC leader urged churches and civil society organizations to provide vital support for the well-being of families, children, and partners left behind. He stressed the necessity of assessing internal systems in Pacific nations to better handle these concerns.
Bhagwan referenced a UNICEF-led study examining the PALM scheme’s impact on families in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands, which brought to light important considerations for community organizations. While there has been anecdotal evidence of vulnerabilities among children, the existence of new research underscores the need for greater focus on child protection.
He pointed out that Fiji has experience with various migrant worker programs, such as soldiers on peacekeeping missions and athletes competing abroad, sometimes with their families. This background allows for the exploration of models that could be useful in other contexts.
Furthermore, Reverend Bhagwan acknowledged the strong cultural and social structures within communities. He raised concerns about behavior monitoring when individuals are removed from traditional settings and suggested that community groups, such as women’s and men’s fellowships, could play a supportive role for those left behind.
In discussing maintenance and support, he referenced the existing contractual agreements for peacekeeping personnel that ensure remittances reach families, highlighting a potential framework for addressing similar issues in the context of migrant workers.