A recent study by UNICEF examines the effects of the Pacific labour mobility scheme on children left behind in Fiji, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, highlighting a lack of family support and rising tensions. This situation is often attributed to infidelity, which significantly impacts the children involved.
The study identifies multiple challenges, particularly regarding the social consequences of labour mobility, such as family breakdowns, exploitation, social isolation, and neglect of families remaining at home. Talei Cama, a Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF Pacific, expressed to Fiji One News that the research aims to guide policies and support for children who are abandoned.
Fiji’s Minister of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Agni Deo Singh, voiced concern over the findings, emphasizing the urgent need for a unified approach to address the issue. He called for dialogue and the exchange of best practices among nations facing similar struggles, stressing the importance of assessing the impacts critically, implementing protective measures, and fostering regional cooperation to tackle these challenges effectively.
UNICEF Pacific is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Employment to carry out this research. Maritino Nemani, the Permanent Secretary for Employment, stated that the study’s findings will prompt the Ministry to reconsider its approach to managing labour mobility.