Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2025, publiée 114ème session CIT (2026)

Convention (n° 182) sur les pires formes de travail des enfants, 1999 - Fidji (Ratification: 2002)

The Committee notes the observations of the Fiji Trade Union Congress (FTUC), received on 4 October 2022.

Articles 3(b) and 7(2)(b) and (e) of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour and effective and time-bound measures. Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution and direct assistance for their removal from prostitution and for their rehabilitation and social integration. Special situation of girls. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes that the Government’s report does not provide information on the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and penalties imposed on those who use, procure, or offer children for prostitution and whether sanctions imposed are sufficiently effective and dissuasive. It also notes the absence of information on the adoption of concrete and time-bound measures aimed at removing children from prostitution and ensuring their rehabilitation and social integration, taking into account the special situation of girls.

The Committee notes the observations of the FTUC, indicating that no progress or concrete actions have been undertaken by the Government to implement time-bound measures for the removal and assistance of children involved in prostitution.

The Committee further notes the Government’s report to the UN Human Rights Council pursuant to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of 20-31 January 2025, on the implementation of the Fiji National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls (2023-2028) (A/HRC/WG.6/48/FJI/1, para. 115). It notes that this National Action Plan includes five key strategies, including public education, survivor-centred services, and legal protection for victims of violence, which cover child sexual exploitation. The Committee once again urges the Government to take effective and time-bound measures, including within the framework of the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls, to remove children from prostitution and ensure their rehabilitation and social integration, and to provide information on the number of child victims who were provided with assistance. It once again requests the Government to provide information on the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and penalties imposed on those who use, procure, or offer children for prostitution.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.