THE International Labour Organization (ILO) says a recent national survey has revealed more than 3700 children aged between 10 and 17 years in Fiji are involved in some form of work activity.

The ILO said despite Government initiatives to address children’s concerns and issues, school dropouts, children involved in illicit activities and child labour continued to rise.

A rapid assessment on child labour in Fiji conducted by the ILO’s Tackling Child Labour through Education (TACKLE) project, has revealed alarming results and trends.

“The issue of children dropping out of school and then into child labour still remains a concern, and should receive greater attention following Tropical Cyclone Winston,” the report said.

“The employment and unemployment survey conducted by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics in 2010-2011, estimated 3500 children between six and 17 years were reported to have left school.

“The majority (49 per cent) were in the 10-14 years age group when they left school.”

The ILO rapid assessment found that in-school children were at risk of dropping out of school early.

“Although 100 of the children interviewed were school dropouts, 86 children are still in school and working. However, 77 of these in-school children stated that they do stay away from school some days to work, thus increasing the risk of dropping out of school early.

“A more recent national survey found over 3700 working children between 10 and 17 years old, more than three quarters of whom are not in school, including 31 children who have never attended school.” The ILO said policy responses were needed to provide access to education and training for out-of-school children, to ensure that young workers were protected at work and had an avenue to decent work through skills training, apprenticeships and vocational training, and to prevent children from dropping out of school.

“There is a need to intensify efforts to withdraw children from the worst forms of child labour in Fiji, especially from hazardous work, sex trafficking and illicit activities,” the international UN agency said.