A recent study has revealed that the physical distance between children and their migrant worker parents has led to various social issues, including truancy, disciplinary problems, and mental health challenges. Family members, caregivers, and civil society workers from Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands provided insights into how Pacific labor mobility schemes are affecting children.
The research highlighted that during interviews and focus group discussions, caregivers and families frequently noted the negative consequences of these labor mobility schemes on children. They indicated that the emotional, communicative, and physical distance from their parents disrupts daily life and contributes to mental health and behavioral issues.
Additionally, the study mentioned that many children are required to take care of their younger siblings due to the lack of adult supervision, which has led to behavioral problems among the children left in these situations. The absence of fathers, who often serve as disciplinarians in families, was especially noted as a contributing factor to these issues.
One participant from Fiji shared concerns about her son’s dramatic change in behavior, saying, “My son is an intelligent kid. He gets straight As in school, but drastically dropped, and also his behavior changed. He has become disrespectful and disobedient.” Another Fijian migrant worker echoed these sentiments, stating, “They are disobedient to their mother and retaliate when told to do something.”
The report further pointed out that children observing their parents earn higher wages through labor mobility schemes tend to lose interest in education, leading to a decline in school attendance and performance. Students are now prioritizing the idea of working abroad over obtaining an education, potentially creating a skills gap and a lack of future educated professionals in their communities. The risk of generations missing out on education and professional development is a growing concern as a result of these trends.