Developing a Joint Roadmap for Fiji as a Pathfinder Country to Achieve SDG Target 8.7

National Strategic Planning Forum 22-23 August 2019 Suva, Fiji

REPORT AUGUST 2019 INTRODUCTION

The National Strategic Planning Forum to Develop a Joint Roadmap for Fiji as a Pathfinder Country to Achieve SDG Target 8.7, was held from the 22-23 August 2019 at the Novotel House in Lami, Fiji.

The forum brought together over 70 policy makers and practitioners from multi- sectoral Government Ministries and Departments, Trade Unions and Workers’ Organisations, Employers’ Organisations and the Private Sector, Civil Society Organisations, Academic and Research Institutions, Regional Agencies, United Nations Agencies including UNICEF, UN Women, UNDP and UNOHCHR, and international development partners from the Delegation of the European Union to the Pacific, Embassy of France, British High Commission, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (People Smuggling and Human Trafficking Unit), New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (New Zealand High Commission) and Walkfree Initiative.

The overall aim of the forum was to reinforce national commitment and accelerate actions towards the achievement of SDG Target 8.7, in line with Fiji’s status as a Pathfinder Country for Alliance 8.7.

Specifically, the purpose of the forum was to: - Review Fiji’s progress and enabling environment for achieving the SDG Target 8.7 and identify the existing limitations and gaps. - Provide input into a national roadmap for achieving SDG 8.7, specifying priority focus areas, roles of national working groups, and integrating organisational and institutional strategies; - Agree to the optimal role of a National Alliance 8.7 coordinating mechanism for achieving SDG 8.7

The forum was organised jointly by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations (MEPIR), Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC), Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Mr. Vilimone Baledrokadroka, Deputy Secretary MEPIR was the Master of Ceremony, supported by Mr. Atish Kumar, Director Labour Standards. The forum was officially opened by the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Hon. Mr. Parveen Bala, who was introduced by Mr. Osea Cawaru, the Permanent Secretary, MEPIR. Welcome remarks were made by the Officer in Charge of the ILO Office for the Pacific, Mr. Gagan Rajbhandari and the Chief of Mission of IOM Fiji, Ms. Mahym Orazmuhamedova.

Page 2 of 49

KEYNOTE ADDRESS By the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations and Youth and Sports, Honourable Mr. Parveen Kumar Bala.

Bula Vinaka and warm greetings! care and protection to our children as they are the future. The task ahead requires a Today marks an important event in our multisectoral approach and working commitment to fight and eliminate child together. I am grateful to see many labor, forced labor and human trafficking stakeholders today to work together on from Fiji, and indeed from all our nations. our common goals. And I commend you and your work in this area. Ladies and Gentlemen, I begin with a brief background on the Alliance 8.7 Agenda I also thank the United Nations which was agreed by the Fijian development partners, including the Government as part of Buenos Aires International Office for Migration for their Declaration on 16th November 2019 in guidance and assistance towards the Fijian Argentina. Government in implementing plans for the 17 SDG goals. It’s only through hard work The Fijian Government has continued to and coordinated effort that we will achieve strengthen its policies to ensure we meet and make Fiji a better place to live and our obligations on Alliance 8.7. Fiji is work. identified as one of the countries to be a pathfinder nation in the 2017 area of Ladies and Gentlemen, sadly Child Labor eliminating all forms of Child Labor, Forced and Forced Labor are still prevalent in the Labor in Human Trafficking. I commend 21st Century. The Fijian Governments you all for joining hands in this fight. stands with the International Community Together we can give our children a future making it clear that persistence of child that is free and for them to make informed labor; forced labor and human trafficking decisions. in today’s world is intolerable. They represent a violation of fundamental I acknowledge the International Labour human rights and undermine economic Organization (ILO) for their continued and social development. guidance and supports towards the Fijian Government in ensuring that we meet our In Fiji this year, the government held timeline and quest in reaching towards events to mark the 140th year of the end of identified Sustainable Development Goals. indentured Indian labor to Fiji. In many And, our commitments to the SDG Alliance ways and forms, this form of labor 8.7 to ensure the whole of Government’s migration was forced labor, and commonly approach. called out by human rights activists at the turn of the 1900, as another form of Ladies and gentlemen, we need this slavery. These commemorative historical approach to continuously review Plans, events have been inclusive of awareness of Policies and Programs to accelerate the blackbirding of Pacific islanders known as action to eliminate child labor, forced labor “Kanakas”, particularly from the Solomon and modern slavery from our societies. We Islands, Vanuatu as another disgraceful must ensure that we give the best possible form of forced labor, to Fiji, Queensland in

Page 3 of 49

Australia and as far as Peru. In both Across these legislations and policies, the instances, the use of forced child labor, provisions and fundamentals of the ratified was institutionalized, and children as ILO 8 Core conventions, 4 priority young as 9 years old worked adult hours conventions and 26 technical conventions, and adult tasks in Fiji’s colonial plantations. are being met in Fiji.

Ladies and gentlemen, it seems This is indeed an achievement for all unthinkable that almost a century and half Fijians. For our tripartite partners - the later, we are still addressing issues from employers and workers organization. We that era. Thankfully, global opinion is must continue to work hand in hand in united against such oppression of people, ensuring that we attain decent work and and such acts are illegal across the world. employment growth for all Fijians. My Ministry through the Labor standard The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable services and the National Occupational Development Goals universally adopted by Health and Safety services enforces laws all 193 United Nations member states calls for better and safe working conditions. We for “immediate and effective measures to will continue to reform laws through our eradicate forced labor, end modern progressive Labor reforms programs to slavery and human trafficking and secure ensure better protection for all workers the prohibition and elimination of worst and employers in Fiji. forms of child labor including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end Ladies and Gentlemen the fourth Global child labor in all its forms. Conference on Sustained Eradication of Child Labor, hosted by the Government of Ladies and Gentlemen the 2013 Fijian Argentina in November 2017 provided an Constitution under Chapter 2 of the Bill of opportunity to further discuss the Rights provides for a wide range of human challengers faced. as well as social and economic rights guaranteed to all Fijians. As we move The Fijian Government through my towards a child Labor free society, Section Ministry has pledged to act on child labor, 10 of the Constitution provides for forced labor and Human Trafficking. Not freedom from slavery, forced labor and only that, but Fiji volunteered to be a Human Trafficking. Section 31 provides for pathfinder country in the Pacific on Right to Education. While Section 41 Alliance 8.7. And we remain committed to provides for Rights of children, to name a leading the region in the eradication of all few. We are indeed proud of our forms of forced labor, particularly that of Government’s achievement in ensuring children. Today provides an opportunity to and giving a Constitution that provides reaffirm our actions and commitment on theses guarantees for all Fijians. this. It is an opportunity to protect and nurture the innocence of our children and Through progressive labor reforms and the dignity of all people to choose when it tripartite consultation, we have developed comes to the right and opportunities to and enforced the Employment Relations work. Act 2007. This is strengthened by Health Let us join hands and ensure that we move and Safety at Work Act 1996 and National towards a better Fiji by eliminating all Employment Centre Act 2009. forms of child labor forced labor and Human Trafficking from our Society.

Page 4 of 49

Globally we are all deeply concerned with “There can be no keener revelation of a the horrors of child labor. And while I am society's soul than the way in which it happy to report that we have minimal treats its children.” instances of it in Fiji, it remains a sad and more widespread problem in many parts of I wish you all the best for the two days of the world. It not only deprives the young robust and informed deliberation and look but also deprives the nation of their forward to seeing dynamic resolutions and potential to rise beyond labor through plans in your outcome statements. education. Ladies and gentlemen allow me to leave Thank You, Vinaka Vakalevu! you with the words of Nelson Mandela-

REMARKS, INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION By Mr. Gagan Rajbhandari, Officer in Charge, ILO Office for the Pacific

Good morning! On behalf of the ILO and and the right to collective bargaining, and the Office in the Pacific, I welcome you the elimination of discrimination in respect warmly to the National Strategic Planning of employment and occupation are Forum to Develop a Joint Roadmap for Fiji accepted by the ILO and the international to Achieve the Sustainable Development community as fundamental principles and Goal 8, Target 7 on eliminating child rights at work. labour, forced labour, modern slavery and These four categories of principles and human trafficking. rights are embedded in the ILO

Constitution; elaborated in ILO The ILO is directly involved in achieving the Conventions and Recommendations; and UN Sustainable Development Goal 8 on recognised in the 1998 Declaration on decent work and economic growth. Fundamental Principles and Rights at Through its flagship international Work, the 2008 ILO Declaration on Social programme on the elimination of child Justice for a Fair Globalization, and within labour and forced labour (IPEC+), ILO the Decent Work Agenda. provides technical support to countries to achieve the SDG 8.7. The ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work, adopted by the 2019 The ILO’s involvement in protecting the International Labour Conference further rights of children, men and women from re-commits the ILO to directing its efforts labour exploitation is not new and dates to eradicating forced and child labour and back to 1919 when the ILO was founded. promoting decent work for all, fostering Convention No.5, adopted by the ILO in cross-border cooperation, and promoting 1919 was the first international labour decent work in labour migration. standard establishing the Minimum Age for Admission of Children to Industrial The ILO Office for the Pacific has worked Employment. closely with the Fiji tripartite plus partners for over 50 years, providing a range of The effective abolition of child labour, the technical support for manpower, elimination of all forms of forced or assessments, vocational training, workers’ compulsory labour, freedom of association education programmes, trades training,

Page 5 of 49 testing and certification schemes, development goals, and in particular SDG legislative reviews, local enterprises and target 8.7. co-operatives, and programmes on social protection, labour migration, just At the sub-regional level, dialogue on transition to climate change, and child achieving SDG 8.7 has already started. In labour. 2017, Pacific delegates identified priorities for the Pacific to achieve the SDG target 8.7 The ILO programmes were, and still are, including strengthening partnership, designed and executed at the request of improving data and statistics, enhancing Governments, Workers’ and Employers’ legislation and enforcement, ensuring organisations, in response to issues and access to quality education for all children, objectives identified by the constituents. and creating opportunities for This has formed the basis of ILO employment, decent work and social engagement in the Pacific over the years protection. and has ensured that technical assistance is relevant and sustainable. I sincerely congratulate the Fiji government for volunteering to become For example, in 2008 in response to the Fiji one of 15 Pathfinder Country’s globally, Decent Work Country Programme which and taking the steps through this forum to prioritised the elimination of child labour, map concrete and practical actions to technical support was provided to the achieve SDG 8.7. government and constituents through the ILO EU-funded Tackling Child Labour It is critical that we are able to progress through Education Programme (TACKLE) from priorities to actions to results. We which was very successfully implemented need to accelerate actions, be innovative in Fiji, in phases from 2008 to 2017. and accountable. We owe this to the 152 million children who are still trapped in As the secretariat to the Alliance 8.7, a child labour and the 40 million people who global partnership for eradicating forced are in forced labour, slavery or trafficked. labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour around the world, the ILO Thank you and congratulations to the Fiji Office is committed to supporting Fiji’s government and partners for organizing efforts to achieve the sustainable this event. I wish you all the best in your deliberations over the next two days!

Page 6 of 49

REMARKS, INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION By Ms. Mahym Orazmuhamedova, Chief of Mission, IOM Fiji

Your Excellency Mr. Parveen Bala - Minister three Supplementary Protocols. In for Employment, Productivity and addition, the development of National Industrial Relations of Fiji, Mr. Gagan Action Plan to eradicate trafficking, Rajbhandari – ILO Regional Officer in providing sheltering support to victims of Charge for Pacific, Distinguished delegates, trafficking, investigating and prosecuting ladies and gentlemen, trafficking cases provide profound basis for Fiji further to strengthen the fight against It’s my pleasure to represent the trafficking and eliminate this International Organization for Migration, phenomenon. the UN Migration Agency, as part of the organizing committee for this National Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Strategic Planning Forum of Fiji under Migration is an increasingly important Alliance 8.7. Let me express our sincere cross-cutting issue globally and in the gratitude to the Ministry of Employment, Pacific. Pacific Islanders have been Productivity and Industrial Relations of Fiji, described as one of the most mobile the Fiji Commerce and Employers’ groups in the world, characterized by Federation, the Fiji Trades Union Congress movements between the thousands of and International Labor Organization for islands across blue ocean. Human mobility close collaboration and cooperation for brings many benefits, improving organizing the forum and express our livelihoods for millions of individuals and appreciation to everyone here for their communities. contributions towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals, However, the vulnerable situations in particularly Target 8.7 so far. which so many people find themselves, in the absence of effective protection As the regional hub in the Pacific, Fiji plays mechanisms and regular migration an important role as an origin, transit and options, is too often exploited by destination country in the context of traffickers, smugglers and other criminals. international migration. And now we are No country in this world escapes the here today, discussing Fiji’s nomination to effects of this horrible phenomenon, with become a pathfinder country under the criminals taking advantage of people’s global Alliance 8.7 partnership. Fiji’s vulnerabilities, and unfortunately Fiji is no intention to accelerate its actions towards exception. It affects women and men; girls achieving SDG 8.7 is ambitious, and and boys. precisely what is needed in today’s globalized world. Everyday people around the world are bought, sold, traded, and tricked into Using the opportunity would like to forced labour, prostitution or begging, to commend on Fiji’s ratification of work in agriculture or fishery, in International Convention on the Protection construction, in food processing, in the sex of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and industry or as domestic helpers. 40 million Members of Their Families and accession of people are trapped in modern slavery the United Nations Convention against situations globally and annually 800,000 Transnational Organized Crime and the

Page 7 of 49

people are trafficked across international comprehensive framework for borders to meet the demand for cheap international migration is a momentous labour, sexual services and criminal one. The promise is that migration, like activities. Trafficking for sexual other areas of international relations, will exploitation and child trafficking are at last be guided by a set of common certainly the worst human rights violations principles and approaches. and represent aggravated forms of the IOM is proud to play a leading role globally crime. Together with drugs and arms, in the Alliance 8.7 partnership, co-chairing trafficking in persons ranks amongst the the Alliance 8.7 Action Group on Migration three most profitable sectors of organized alongside with UNICEF. This Action Group crime. focuses on the varying dynamics of Since 1997, following the global role of migration within or across borders, and the protecting migrants, IOM has provided increased vulnerability to abuse and direct protection, humanitarian, medical, exploitation that migrants may face, legal, and migration support close to whether they are moving irregularly or 100,000 men, women and children who through regularized channels. were trafficked for sexual and labour IOM has supported and collaborated with exploitation, slavery or practices similar to many Pacific countries to counter human slavery, servitude, and or for organ trafficking, particularly in RMI, FSM, Palau, removal. Solomon Island, PNG and Vanuatu in the While we are acting to alleviate the areas of prevention, protection, and suffering of the victims, our primary aim is prosecution. Along with the capacity to prevent trafficking in persons and to building activities, establishment of protect victims from trade while offering Protection Frameworks for Victims of them options of safe and sustainable Trafficking, strengthening Anti-Trafficking return and reintegration, in keeping with Taskforces and National Action Plans were the “do no harm” principle. implemented in partnership with the governments and civil society Over time, we have witnessed and been organizations. part of important developments in global negotiations, which has seen migration IOM’s cooperation and collaboration with and human mobility addressed in a very the Government of Fiji has advanced since positive and encouraging way. This Fiji became an IOM Member State in 2013. includes the Sustainable Development We have supported the Government with Agenda including a specific target relating capacity building of law enforcement to migration for the first time – target 10.7 agencies, developing migration profile for of the Sustainable Development Goals to Fiji with trends and data on trafficking facilitate orderly, safe, regular and issues, supporting to improve the national responsible migration and mobility of multi-sectorial response to trafficking and people, including relating to modern plans for this workshop, and we stand slavery and human trafficking. ready and willing to continue this support as we develop the roadmap for Fiji’s And the development of the Global actions under the Alliance. We have been Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular engaging with the Government in many Migration, which all the countries of pacific discussions relating to human trafficking islands developing states have signed up issues in recent months, and we see that to. The decision to develop such a our collaborations can indeed make a

Page 8 of 49 positive contribution to Fiji’s efforts in this you all over the coming months and years area over time. under this partnership. IOM’s vision is for a world in which migrants move as a matter of genuine choice and not desperate necessity, in which the rights of migrants are protected throughout their migration story, and in which migration is well-governed so it is a positive force for all the world’s peoples and societies. We are sincerely grateful to see all these dedicated faces in the room, for the cooperation and joint efforts in this field. Fighting against these issues remains impossible if we do not act together. In closing, I know you are here because you care, and we look forward to working with

Page 9 of 49

SESSION 1: FORUM OVERVIEW By Mr. Vilimone Baledrokadroka, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Productivity, Employment and Industrial Relations

An overview of the forum objectives and National Union of Workers and teachers structure of the sessions was presented, unions. Employers’ Organisations and the and participant introductions made. Private Sector were represented by Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation Government Ministries were well (FCEF), Women’s Entrepreneurship and represented from the: Business Council, Fiji Hotels and Tourism - Ministry of Employment, Association and British American Tobacco. Productivity, Industrial Relations (MEPIR) and Youth and Sports Civil Society Organisations included Fiji - Ministry of Education and National Council of Social Services, Save the Substance Abuse and Advisory Children Fiji, Homes of Hope, Medical Council Services Pacific, Empower Pacific, Fiji - Prime Minister’s Office and the Women’s Crisis Centre, Fiji Women’s Department of Immigration Rights Movement, FRIEND Fiji, The - Ministry of Economy- Fiji Bureau of Salvation Army Fiji and Pacific Dialogue. Statistics - Ministry of Infrastructure and Research Institutions and Regional Transport and National Disaster Agencies included the University of the Management Office South Pacific, Fiji National University, - Ministry of Agriculture University of Fiji, Council of Pacific - Ministry of Women, Children and Education, Regional Rights Resources Poverty Alleviation Team from the Pacific Community (SPC) - Ministry of Health and Medical and the Pacific Conference of Churches. Services - Ministry of Defence and National United Nations Agencies and international Security development partners were represented - Fiji Police Force by UNICEF, UN Women, UNDP and - Ministry of Fisheries UNOHCHR, the Delegation of the European - Ministry of Industry, Trade and Union to the Pacific, Embassy of France, Tourism British High Commission, Australian - Ministry of Lands Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Ministry of Forestry (People Smuggling and Human Trafficking Unit), New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Workers’ Organisations were represented Affairs and Trade (New Zealand High by members of the Fiji Trades Union Commission) and Walkfree Initiative from Congress (FTUC) and Women’s Committee, Australia.

Page 10 of 49

SESSION 2: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 8, SDG TARGET 8.7 & ALLIANCE 8.7 By Ms. Bharati Pflug, ILO Specialist

The session presented statistics from the victims of modern slavery, including 25 ILO global estimates on child labour and million people in forced labour and 15 forced labour and introduced SDG 8 on million people in forced marriage. Women promoting sustained, inclusive and and girls accounted for 71% and children sustainable economic growth, full and accounted for 25% of modern slavery productive employment and decent work victims. At least half the victims of forced for all. Policy priorities for achieving SDG labour (50%) were in debt bondage. In the Target 8.7, which also contributes to other Asia- Pacific region, the number of women SDGs on poverty, quality education, and girls in forced marriages were higher gender equality and reduced inequalities, than adults who were more commonly were outlined and the role of Alliance 8.7 trapped in forced labour situations. The and Pathfinder countries, elaborated. number of boys and men victims in forced labour was more than double the number According to the ILO Global Estimates on of girls and women. Child Labour, 152 million children are still trapped in child labour, the majority in the Policy priorities for achieving SDG 8.7 were agriculture sector (70.9%). Global trends outlined, including expanding access to were similar to trends in the Asia- Pacific free, quality public education; extending region, and those of major concern were: social protection systems, including floors; - Large number of very young ensuring fair and effective migration children between 5-11 years are governance; protecting vulnerable still trapped in child labour and the populations in situations of conflict and numbers are not decreasing disaster; and addressing debt bondage. - Many child labourers attending school and working (71.4% children Alliance 8.7 is a global alliance of over 200 in child labour between 5-11 years partners supporting efforts to achieving old attending school) the SDG Target 8.7, with four major - A significant number of children are objectives, to accelerate and coordinate in hazardous child labour (73 action; conduct research and share million) knowledge; drive innovation; and increase - 58% of child labourers are boys (88 and leverage resources. million) - Large number of children in child Alliance 8.7 is coordinated by a Global labour are contributing family Coordinating Group, previously chaired by workers Australia and currently chaired by France. - While the Africa region has Alliance 8.7 Action Groups have been recorded an increase in child established to support country-level labour, the Asia- Pacific region has implementation by conducting research, recorded a significant decline. disseminating knowledge, developing tools and mobilizing resources, covering four According to the ILO Global Estimates on themes- migration, rule of law and Modern Slavery, 40 million people are governance, conflicts and humanitarian

Page 11 of 49 settings, and supply chains. The ILO - Serve as a catalyst for wider change provides secretariat support to the Alliance - Benefit from technical support to 8.7 and has established an Alliance 8.7 prepare reports under the website and Delta 8.7 knowledge platform Voluntary National Review (VNR) of for knowledge sharing. the SDGs

Pathfinder countries are those that commit National strategic planning workshops are to going further or faster to achieve target organized in pathfinder countries to 8.7. Currently there are 15 Pathfinder develop road maps for achieving SDG 8.7 Countries- Albania, Chile, Fiji, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Following the presentation, participants Nepal, Nigeria, Peru, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, raised concerns on the global estimates on Uganda and Viet Nam. Opportunities for child labour and modern slavery related to Pathfinder Countries include: the inclusion of the Pacific region in the - Development and economic statistics for Asia- Pacific, which did not benefits that come from reduced represent the true statistics for the Pacific. forced labour, modern slavery, The need for data to be collected from the human trafficking and child labour Pacific region to give a correct reflection of - New resources through the the region at the Global level was attractive power of a demonstrated recommended. (Raised by representative willingness to act from FCEF) - Leverage reputational benefits - Showcase progress and successful A request was also made for international interventions guidelines on fair recruitment to be shared - Benefit from access to knowledge with employers. (Request by and expertise representative from BAT)

Page 12 of 49

SESSION 3: PANEL ON CHILD LABOUR, FORCED LABOUR, MODERN SLAVERY & HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN FIJI Moderated by Ms. Mahym Orazmuhamedova, IOM Chief of Mission Panelists: - Mr. Atish Kumar, Director Labour Standard Services, Ministry of Productivity, Employment and Industrial Relations - SSP Mr. Aporosa Lutunauga, Director Strategic Planning, Policy, Research & Development , Fiji Police Force - Mr. Josua Naisele, Director, National Substance Abuse Advisory Council (NSAAC) - Ms. Lynnie Roche, Executive Director, Homes of Hope

The panel aimed to provide an overview of Convention No.182) that the government challenges and priorities in the area of has ratified. He briefly highlighted the child labour, forced labour, slavery and Buenos Aires Declaration which the Fiji human trafficking in Fiji and different Government and other Governments at initiatives/ programmes addressing these the Fourth Global Conference on the issues. The panellists were given three Eradication of Child Labour pledged to take questions: immediate action towards eradicating - To provide a general overview of child child labour in all its forms by 2025. labour, forced labour, slavery and human trafficking issues that their SSP Mr. Aporosa Lutunauga outlined the agency has contributed to and the provisions of the 2009 Crimes Act which specific trends, vulnerabilities and criminalizes some forms of labour particular risk factors noted; trafficking and all forms of sex trafficking. - What is in place to address these The Fiji Police Force has registered 7 TIP issues, what has worked and what cases and 1 case of domestic trafficking hasn't worked, the challenges and which is before the Court. A total of 5 TIP bottlenecks; and cases from 2016 are under investigation - What should be the key priorities/ and 3 TIP cases were successfully recommendations to achieve the SDG prosecuted in 2010, 2012 and 2014. With 8.7 target? regards to child labour, Mr. Lutunauga Panellists were asked to consider the need highlighted the issue of children on the for accelerating action and innovation street engaged in begging, crime, drugs, when proposing recommendations. substance abuse and prostitution. Specific trends, vulnerabilities and risk factors Mr. Atish Kumar focused on outlining the identified included: provisions in the Employment Relations - Street kids are desperate for livelihood Act 2007 related to child labour including - Children are in desperate situations to the prohibition of the worst forms of child support families and guardians labour, the minimum ages and conditions - People in human trafficking trade of employment, the responsibilities of exploit the vulnerability of the child, employers and the penalties for poor family and isolation contravening the law, in line with the - Low income parity resulting in child provisions of the ILO Conventions on child servitude, low salary, prostitution, labour (Minimum Age Convention No.138 sexual favours. and Worst Forms of Child Labour Challenges identified related to:

Page 13 of 49

- Lack of coordination and awareness on - Conduct TIP training to a greater legislation, enforcement, reporting number of police officer and Police procedures amongst law enforcement prosecutors. and stakeholder agencies. - Isolated and long intervals in audits, The Fiji Police Force has implemented inspections, monitoring, visitations, successful community policing and training and awareness- often Fiji preventative programmes such as the Blue Police Force is not in the picture. Light Programme, school cadet - Hidden or isolated nature of child programmes, and family parliament, which labour, forced labour, modern slavery provide avenues for replication and and human trafficking in Fiji lessons learnt. - Under- resourced Human Trafficking Unit Mr. Josua Naisele presented on the - Long process of enforcement, programmes implemented by NSAAC to prosecution conduct awareness with students, teachers, parents and communities on Proposed priority actions: drugs and substance abuse, human - Improve surveillance and trafficking and cyber safety. NSAAC is a whistleblower avenues/platforms for statutory body of the Ministry of Education reporting of breach in the law and and currently is addressing drugs, smoking establish easier “single window” and alcohol abuse in schools. He reporting, and investigation platforms highlighted that although the MOE did not to avoid delays, collusion and bribery; have data on Child Labour and Human - Motivate the business community to Trafficking, they do have 11 cases of identify and report child Labour, forced students trafficking drugs in schools and labour and human trafficking; over 700 cases of students dropping out of - Create working group and appoint school, and it may be possible that they focal point officers in various agencies have dropped out to look for work. The (for Alliance 8.7 coordination); MOE has a Child Protection Policy for all - Address the issues of poverty, school schools to adopt and counselling services dropout and unemployment (root in schools. Currently the presence of illicit causes); synthetic drugs is a major concern and - Develop and implement formal victim children may become easy targets as a identification and referral procedures; result of their vulnerabilities. - Proactively screen groups vulnerable to trafficking, such as persons in Challenges related to lack of coordination prostitution, and exploited children; and networking among stakeholders who - Increase efforts to investigate and are dealing with child labour and the prosecute trafficking offenses, and unavailability of data on child labour. convict and punish traffickers, Proposed priority actions: including by convening the Inter- - Strengthening partnership with MEPIR Agency Working Group on People and NGOs that deal with child labour Trafficking; - Accessing data on child labour from - Pursue to amend trafficking related MEPIR and Ministry of Women, provisions of the Crimes Act to Children and Poverty Alleviation (Child criminalize all forms of trafficking; Welfare Decree) to identify target age

Page 14 of 49

group and socio-economic status of HoH provides restorative care for victims children of forced sex and sex trafficking on campus - Awareness programmes in schools on and works to sensitize and educate child labour, human trafficking, forced communities leading to establish labour and modern slavery community safety nets and combat the - Identify relationship between drug culture of silence. Successful approaches abuse and child labour, human involves family style care, long-term care, trafficking, forced labour and modern having trauma-informed staff, regular slavery follow up after survivors are reintegrated - Expand counselling services to victims with their families, connecting efforts with - Improve coordination, research and existing service providers. Issues of knowledge sharing, communal-based untrained and un-sensitized care staff, strategies and education long prosecution process and lost files, opportunities. legal and court system which is not child- friendly and the workshop culture were Ms. Lynnie Roche shared the experience of cited as examples of what has not worked. Homes of Hope (HoH) on addressing The culture of silence, shame and stigmas, modern slavery, forced labour, child labour lack of information flow to publics, lack of and sex trafficking in Fiji. HoH have dealt Social Welfare Officers, pimps too with cases involving forced sex and sex powerful and gaining control and poor trafficking of girls and women and linked to coordination between government these cases, issues of modern slavery, agencies were on-going challenges. human trafficking, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC- Proposed priority actions: categorised as a worst form of child - Challenge the culture of silence labour). through updated research and reported statistics on forced sex, According to HoH, factors that put women improving CSO and government and girls at risk included being sold or networking, sensitizing the public and forced by their own family members, the empowering leaders to take action culture of silence, lack of family support, - Provide tools of trauma- informed care absence of a parent, rejection by a step- for victims and their support parent. Vulnerability factors involved communities broken homes, sex offenders living nearby, - Create safety nets in communities by ignorance of issues surrounding forced sex, developing community action plans, sexual abuse in their past, no safe housing, improving the referral system and doing poorly in school and school dropout, training communities. sex worker in the family, no existing sex offender registry and no reporting/ referral Key questions to panelists referred to: mechanism. These issues are prevalent in - Issue of a centralised database. Need urban areas, particularly in Suva where the to explore how relevant government population has exploded. Younger girls are agencies and other key stakeholders now involved in CSEC and easier access to can share data to improve monitoring pornography and social media is fueling and decision to address issues. the demand. Stories were presented to Response (MEPIR): The MEPIR has a illustrate these issues. national child labour database and can improve access to stakeholders.

Page 15 of 49

- Query raised on whether the workers - Recommendation to implement the at Grace Road were in slavery or forced NAP on Human Trafficking and labour. Response (Police): No comment coordinate the contributions of as investigations are on-going. government agencies and key - Concerns regarding the removal of stakeholders to implementing the NAP. school counsellors and chaplains from - Issue raised on the need for real schools who play important roles in political will to lead and support all working with students when they are actors and sectors to implement their facing difficult situations. Response services successfully. (NSAAC): The MOE is currently training 30 counsellors and has referred some The moderator summed up key priorities schools to access counselling services raised by panelists including strengthening provided by Empower Pacific and MSP. coordination and partnership, improving Schools also have a child protection data management, statistics and services officer and school chaplains can be for victims and increasing awareness and retained and paid for by school owners training. (different religious groups).

Page 16 of 49

SESSION 4: PANEL ON UNDERSTANDING THE NEXUS BETWEEN HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND MIGRATION IN FIJI Moderated by Ms. Elena Gerasimova, ILO Specialist Panelists: - Mr. Nemani Vuniwaqa, Director, Department of Immigration - Ms. Mahym Orazmuhamedova, Chief of Mission, IOM Fiji - Rev. James Bhagwan, General Secretary, Pacific Conference of Churches (Represented on the Panel by Mr. Netani Rika, Communications Officer, PCC) - Mr. Chris Evans, Lead Strategic Engagement, Minderoo Foundation, Walk Free

This session aimed to explore situations of a stepping stone to travel to Australia, New irregular migration and human trafficking Zealand or the USA. An average of 13,000 in Fiji, identifying the trends and to 18,000 permits are issued each year vulnerabilities of migrants and victims of (permits for research, student, investor, trafficking and assessing what has been residence, short term, work, visitor, achieved, any gaps identified and way business extension and exemption status), with the highest number of permits issued forward. Panellists were given the in 2015 (18,197) and 2017 (18,167). following questions: Of the 26 TIP Fiji cases investigated, 22 - What is your agency experience and cases involved false promises and business contributions to combating or deals made to Indian nationals and 4 cases countering human trafficking issues in involved fraudulent travel documents held Fiji and in what ways are these linked by Chinese nationals. The DOI has put in to migration/ irregular migration? place measures to guard against insincere - What does your agency have in place to marriages through screening foreign address the issues, what has worked nationals intending to marry locals before and hasn’t worked? Where are the marriage certificate can be obtained. DOI is challenges or bottlenecks? working on integrating the Interpol - From your organizations experience, database into the immigration system. what should be the key priorities/ Challenges identified include lack of recommendations to achieve the SDG funding and commitment from agencies to 8.7 target? implement the NAP and lack of capacity to Mr. Nemani Vuniwaqa began his properly assess migrants, such as staff who presentation by outlining the international are multi-lingual or able to converse in sign and national legal framework related to language, are gender- sensitized. trafficking in persons and migration. Forms Recommended priorities involved: of irregular migration in Fiji were identified - Development/ update of the 2011 NAP as overstayers, working without a valid on TIP work permit, exploitation by employers, - Improve information sharing and outlaw motorcycle gangs and related drugs collaboration with government and and criminal syndicates, fake travel NGOs documents, travel documents obtained by - Network with regional and fraud, marriages to acquire Fiji citizenship, international forums such as PIDC and and false promises to migrants using Fiji as Bali Process

Page 17 of 49

- Increase regional and international abuse. The IOM approach to TIP is within capacity building and training the wider context of managing migration, - Review Crimes Act 2009 and and is based on three principles: Immigration Act 2003 - Respect for human rights - Set up an Intelligence Unit in the - Physical, mental and social well-being Department of Immigration of the individual and his or her Ms. Mahym Orazmuhamedova provided a community comprehensive overview of the IOM’s - Sustainability through institutional response to migration and human capacity building of governments and trafficking, Fiji TIP trends and civil society vulnerabilities, and challenges and ways forward. There are an estimated 258 IOM counter-trafficking responses on million migrants globally. For most people, prevention, protection, and prosecution migration is seen an opportunity to work include (i) information campaigns in source for higher wages, even at low skill levels. and destination countries on TIP to Migrants migrate via regular and irregular channels, but irregular migration encourage people to report suspected exacerbates migrants’ vulnerability since cases, and equip vulnerable populations irregular migrants fall outside the scope with information to better protect and most protections of law, and are themselves from the recruitment tactics of unlikely to report abuses because of fear of traffickers; (ii) technical cooperation legal repercussions. Adults and children activities including training of NGOs and migrants may be at higher risk of trafficking government officials, technical support in due to irregular status, social isolation, the development of counter-trafficking language barriers, unethical recruitment legislation, policies and procedures, and processes, lack of access to formal job infrastructural upgrades; and (iii) direct markets, lack of access to finance and assistance to victims including safe loans, discrimination, complicated accommodation, medical and psychosocial relationship to the law, and/or fear of authorities, detention, and deportation. support, skills development and vocational Sites of vulnerability are private houses, training, reintegration assistance, and businesses (factories, shops, voluntary, safe and dignified return to hotel/restaurant industry, mines); border countries of origin, or resettlement to third crossings, irregular migration routes, countries in extreme cases. IOM has commercial sex industry, and locations developed a ‘determinants of migrant affected by conflict, natural disaster, vulnerability’ model analysing factors at displacement, and presence of armed the individual, household/family, groups. community and structural levels that contribute to vulnerability or those that Different types of migrants are trafficked contribute to resilience, mitigate persons, smuggled migrants with vulnerability, reduce harm and can inform protection needs, (rejected) asylum comprehensive and sustainable solutions. seekers, migrants in irregular situations, Actions are also taken with businesses to stranded migrants, unaccompanied and prevent and mitigate the risks of labour separated migrant children, and migrants and human rights violations in their subjected to violence, exploitation or operations and supply chains, including

Page 18 of 49

advisory services to private sector and China, the Philippines, Thailand, South public actors to ensure that remedies are Korea and other Asian nationals coming available to victims where harm has with the purpose of labour/employment occurred. and education. Asian countries remain a primary source for smuggled migrants in IOM has assisted more than 1.5 million the Pacific attempting to enter Australia, migrants to return voluntarily to their New Zealand and the United States. countries since 1979; helped thousands of Climate change, displacement and returning migrants reintegrate within their relocation are also issues causing communities; assisted over 100,000 vulnerability. persons trafficked for forced labour or begging, sexual exploitation, organ Recommended priorities and ways forward removal and other purposes since the mid- for Fiji include: 1990s; and in 2015 and 2016, protected Improving data and evidence-base for 130,000 migrants vulnerable to violence, countering human trafficking exploitation, and abuse. Some actions in - Conduct research to identify current the Pacific include establishing protection and future trends for trafficking and vulnerabilities frameworks for victims of trafficking, - Improve the national data on strengthening Anti-Trafficking Taskforces, trafficking through the establishment and developing National Action Plan on TIP of database and exchange of in Micronesia. information As the regional hub in the Pacific, Fiji is a Prevention - Address the root causes of trafficking, high mobility country with emigrants particularly among women accounting for 21.5 %. Fiji is a source, - Awareness campaigns and partnership transit and destination country for men, with private sector on the risks of women and children trafficked for the trafficking and exploitation. purpose of sexual and labour exploitation - Improve assistance and reintegration such as fishing. There is also evidence that of victims of trafficking source countries for victims of sex Protection trafficking in Fiji are broadening, previously - Strengthen the identification of victims being from China and the Philippines, and of trafficking through the development now also from Thailand. Fiji is a source of of Standard Operating Procedures, temporary labour migrants for training and involving women officers opportunities abroad, especially in the for interviews of women and children Middle East and in other Pacific countries. victims - Establishment and Implementation of Total international migrant stock in Fiji was National Referral Mechanisms (NRMs); 13,751 as of 2015, which is 2 % of the total - Align the existing national legislation population (China, Korea, India, the with the UN protocol to Prevent, Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand Suppress and Punish Trafficking in and other Pacific Islands, such as Kiribati, Persons. Samoa, Vanuatu and Tonga). Fiji is a transit - Introduce changes and amendments to country for further international the law for the provision of special migration, and also a destination country assistance to women and girls who are for nationals from other Pacific Islands, victims of trafficking, including shelter,

Page 19 of 49

psychological and medical support, and domestic service. For example, in legal assistance and protection during 2017, an Australian employer was trials. sentenced for labour exploitation and Prosecution luring vulnerable workers by false - Build the capacity of law enforcement promises. The workers from Vanuatu officers and judges on identification picked tomatoes in Queensland under and referrals with focus on women and harsh working and living conditions, children, investigation, prosecution surviving on tomatoes or bread, sleeping and conviction of trafficking cases; on chairs or in a mini-bus, and earning Partnerships $150 for 6 months work instead of the - Strengthen the national response to $15,000-$20,000 promised. trafficking through promoting comprehensive and multi-sectorial These issues resulted in the leaders from approach; 30 mainline churches and 9 national - Promote cooperation with the council of churches signing the Global countries of destination for effective Freedom Leaders Joint Declaration of Faith rehabilitation and safe return of Leaders Against Modern Slavery in women and children who are victims of November 2018, mandating the PCC trafficking. secretariat to engage in addressing modern slavery of Pacific Islanders and Rev. James Bhagwan, through a video other migrant workers in the Pacific. The presentation briefly commented on the Pastoral and Practical Pathways approach history of the Pacific labour traffic and taken by the PCC Pacific Labour Mobility indenture system and drew similarities to Programme involves pre-departure the current Pacific seasonal labour training and preparation, pastoral care and schemes and the potential of labour support for workers and their families and exploitation and slavery if these schemes reintegration support. are unchecked. He emphasised the importance of regulating the seasonal Rev. James also highlighted the issue of labour schemes to guard against forced absconders and the need for governments labour, slavery and trafficking and to investigate reasons for absconding and provided an outline of the PCC Pacific possible breaches of conditions of Labour Moblity Programme to assist conditions by employers before decisions workers and their families. are taken to penalize absconders and their communities. The need to protect the Unemployment, lack of opportunities and rights of irregular migrants in Australia and lack of knowledge create vulnerabilities New Zealand and ensure they had proper and increase the risks of Pacific Islanders referral to support agencies was also being deceived or taken advantage of by emphasised. in conclusion the PCC subcontractors and agencies, leading to expressed their hopes to collaborate with them working and living in harsh the Fiji government to implement the conditions, under threat of violence, with Pastoral and Practical Pathways approach growing mistrust of authorities, shame and and support Fiji’s efforts as a Pathfinder embarrassment at being duped. Sectors Country to achieve SDG 8.7. where forced labour, slavery or trafficking could occur were in fisheries, construction, Mr. Chris Evans acknowledged the agriculture and horticulture, hospitality presentations made by all the panelists

Page 20 of 49

and the honest contributions made by the victims, including police, immigration various agencies on their limitations to officials, labour inspectors, and tackling the issues of child labour, forced education and health officials. labour, slavery and trafficking, and their - Ratify the 2014 ILO Protocol on Forced commitments to working together to Labour (P29) and 2011 ILO Convention achieve the SDG 8.7 target. on Domestic Workers (No. 189) - Strengthen human trafficking and The Minderoo Foundation’s Walk Free related legislation to ensure that all Initiative has collaborated with the ILO and forms of exploitation are criminalised IOM on research on modern slavery and and penalties are appropriately severe recently launched at the UN in July 2019 - Empower women and girls by providing the ‘Measurement, Action, Freedom’ primary education for all and by report on the issue of modern slavery, supporting community empowerment which highlights that more needs to be initiatives done to accelerate action and to hold - Strengthen national laws to protect governments to account through an labour rights for all workers in both the agreed set of measurement indicators on formal and informal economy and in all forms of modern slavery. According to high risk sectors the report, 10,000 people need to be freed - Ensure survivor voices are included in each day to eradicate modern slavery. For all aspects by consulting with victims SDG 8.7, this is hampered by the lack of and providing avenues for their input indicators on all forms of modern slavery - Enforce legislation by providing under SDG 8.7. Without clear indicators to training and resources for police, measure progress toward the 2030 goal, prosecutors, judges, and defence governments cannot report systematically attorneys to more effectively and consistently, nor can they be held to investigate and prosecute modern account. Some priority actions to achieve slavery cases. Develop evidence-based the SDG 8.7 target include: national action plans or strategies - Increase identification of and improve assistance for modern slavery victims Walkfree Initiative is currently undertaking by providing training to those who research on forced labour and modern come into contact with potential slavery in the Pacific.

Page 21 of 49

SESSION 5: MAPPING THE NATIONAL SITUATION By Ms. Christine Lemau, Child Protection Officer, Save the Children Fiji, in association with ECPAT International & Ms. Marie Fatiaki, ILO Consultant

Ms. Christine Lemau presented Save the sexual exploitation, including prostitution Children Fiji’s experience in addressing and trafficking. Children with disabilities, violence against children and the sexual especially girls are also vulnerable and are exploitation of children in Fiji, and discriminated against by both children and provided snapshots from two reports adults. Evidence indicates that both boys launched by ECPAT International - Fiji and girls living in street situations engage Country Overview (2018) and Perception of in prostitution as a survival strategy. In the Frontline Welfare Works in SEC in the Pacific study while girls (68%) made up the Pacific-Fiji, Sols, PNG, Tonga, Samoa majority of child victims in each category, Kiribati (June 2019) and a report from Save boys still represented approximately a the Children- Unseen-Unsafe: The third of the total reported victims (32%). underinvestment in ending violence Additionally following natural disasters, against children in the Pacific and Timor- children are most vulnerable to neglect, Leste (2019). abuse and exploitation due to the pressure placed on the local capacity of victim Vulnerabilities and trends were identified support services, social workers and civil from the survey of social workers. Conflicts society to cope. As the threats from between modern and traditional norms climate change intensify, efforts to and certain conservative social practices enhance communities’ resilience need to underpin children’s vulnerability to sexual include developing strategies to reduce exploitation in Fiji. Men’s power and children’s vulnerability to SEC in the authority is dominant within the context of natural disasters. community and the family and can be Amongst the primary offenders in Fiji, reinforced with violence impacting on perpetrators included family members, children’s vulnerability to SEC. The deeply foreign tourists, crew members on foreign rooted tradition of shame and silence fishing vessels, taxi drivers and inhibits prevention attempts is common in businessmen. This is a trend confirmed by Pacific nations. The frontline workers participants in the Pacific survey, where survey indicated that cultural taboos and offenders were often found to be in the stigma around sex and SEC were victim’s circle of trust. consistently a primary factor that prevented children from seeking help and Key gaps include limited resources and lack accessing services. In addition, children of funding restricting NGO’s from without strong safety nets were less likely conducting critical community outreach to access services continuum of care from activities and providing counselling, legal identification to actually be free of SEC is a advice and victim services, particularly in long process includes confronting norms, rural areas and remote islands; lack of risk of being further stigmatized and training; inadequate capacity and quality victimized. of psychological services for child victims; lack of protective practices to prevent In urban areas, children- mainly boys- are growing attraction and demand for sexual vulnerable to multiple forms of labour and exploitation of children in the tourism

Page 22 of 49

sector and the traditional form of apology robberies; and children in hazardous child called bulubulu which should not be labour such as deep sea diving, collecting promoted as a means to accept the seafood; agriculture and sugarcane severity of the sexual exploitation of the harvesting; construction; scavenging and child victim within the cultural and social scrap metal collection. norms. Priority actions include: - Strengthen the National Coordinating Child labour below minimum age and Committee for Children (NCC); conditions in Fiji involved children working - Improve training of law enforcement in the informal sector work- street vending, officials; garage, carwash, commercial farming etc., - Promote the inclusion of child many of whom were either out of school or protection and sexual exploitation of in-school working after hours. In many children in key youth groups such as cases children were desperate and working the National Youth Council of Fiji; more than one job. - Implement the National Plan of Action to Eradicate Trafficking in Persons and Issues of forced labour, slavery and human Child Trafficking as well as mechanisms trafficking involved: to monitor and evaluate its - Migrant labourers working on farms, implementation; factories, construction industry, fishing - Promote strategies to address the vessels, car dealers/ garages shortcomings of traditional practice - Migrant women & local women and and raise awareness on how the children in the sex trade practice further victimizes child victims - Migrant labourers from Fiji in of sexual exploitation construction, agriculture, domestic - Ratify and enact legislation to comply work, services industry to the Optional Protocol to the - And isolated incidences of bonded Convention of the Rights of the Child labour on the Sale of Children, Child Fiji has ratified the relevant international Prostitution and Child Pornography; Conventions such as the: - Increase access and strengthen victim - Convention on the Rights of the Child support services; where suitable, build (CRC), 1989 on existing services for victims and - ILO Minimum Age Convention, No.138, ensure services for male victims 1973 - Reduce cultural taboos around sex and - ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour the stigma associated with sexual Convention, No.182, 1999 exploitation through programmes - ILO Forced Labour Convention, No. 29, coordinated at the family and 1930 community levels. - ILO Abolition of Forced Labour

Convention, No. 105, 1957 Ms. Marie Fatiaki began with an overview - UN Convention against Transnational of the types of child labour, forced labour, Organised Crime and Supplementary slavery and human trafficking issues in Fiji Protocols on trafficking, smuggling and including children in the worst forms of firearms child labour involving children in the - Agreement on Port State Measures to commercial sex trade- prostitution, Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, pornography; children in illicit activities- Unreported and Unregulated Fishing trafficking drugs, begging, gambling,

Page 23 of 49

- International Convention on the Protection Protection of the Rights of All Migrant - Recognition of trafficking victims status Workers and Members of their - Providing services to victims (health, Families housing, social services, financial, safety) Additionally national laws and policies are - Repatriation assistance in place to protect against exploitation Prosecution including: - Investigation of suspected TIP - Employment Relations Act 2007 - Support for victims during the criminal - Health and Safety at Work Act 1996 justice process - Crimes Act 2009 - Juveniles Act Cap.56 The draft Fiji National Action Plan to - Adoption of Infants Act Eliminate Child Labour developed in 2012 - Child Welfare Decree 2010 prioritised: - Immigration Act 2003 Legislation and enforcement - Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal - Mainstream child protection into each Matters Act, 1997 government ministry - Education Act (Bill) - Develop national child labour policy - Dangerous Drugs Act - Strengthen CL Sub-committee of NCCC - Illicit Drugs Control Act Education - Online Safety Act 2018 - Establish NFE Certification training - Inter-agency guidelines on Child Abuse programme for out-of-school children and Neglect - Mainstream TVET into all schools - Child Protection Policy- Education - Establish CPP in schools - Child Protection Guidelines- ODPP - Amend Education Act - Child Protection Guidelines for Health Workers Social protection - Draft National Child Protection Policy; - Upscale Family Assistance National Child Labour Policy; and programmes/ conditional cash Provisions protecting children in light transfers work and entertainment industry - Establish policy on job creation - Scholarships to up skill health workers The Fiji National Plan of Action to Eradicate and Social workers Trafficking in Persons and Child Trafficking - Increase qualified and registered social prioritises the following: workers Prevention - Implement Poverty Alleviation - Training to identify and manage Programme targeting WFCL trafficking activity; - Trafficking awareness campaigns Labour market - Enhancing border security to prevent - Conduct labour market surveys and TIP school to work transition survey - Visa vetting - Regulate national minimum wage in - Research on TIP informal economy - Intelligence gathering and sharing - Regulating scrap metal collection - Reporting trafficking progress to UN Agriculture and US Department of State - Promote fair trade certification - International collaboration - Regulate hazardous child labour list

Page 24 of 49

- Establish joint inspection task force - National Coordinating Committee on between MOL, MoA, FSC and MOE Children chaired by the Ministry of - Develop deep sea diving regulations to Women, Children and Poverty protect children Alleviation and includes all agencies working with children. The NCCC has a CSEC Child Labour Sub-Committee - Develop guiding protocols for agencies comprised of the MEPIR, MOE, DoSW, addressing CSEC FBOS, Police, FCEF, FTUC, FTU, ILO, and - Strengthen PPP for victims a CSEC Sub- Committee comprised of - Increase penalties for perpetrators Homes of Hope, MOE, Police, DoSW, - Implement parenting education ILO and other CSOs. programmes

- Training of enforcement agencies and The presentation emphasised that transport sector experience exists in Fiji to combat child In 2016, new priorities were proposed to labour, forced labour, slavery and human strengthen and enforce child labour laws, trafficking through programmes which victim assistance, implement prevention have trialed and tested various strategies, improve monitoring especially approaches, and therefore there is no need in schools, communities and the tourism to re- invent the wheel but plan what can sector and improve on data management. be done better, faster and more effectively. Priorities identified by existing Existing relevant coordinating mechanisms and draft national plans may still be valid in Fiji are the: and stakeholders were encouraged to - National Inter-Agency Working Group check priorities of national development on People Trafficking chaired by the and action plans, sector plans, agency Department of Immigration and strategies and recommendations from includes Police, Fiji Intelligence Unit, reviews and reports of supervisory bodies FIRCA, Transnational Crime Unit, DPP, on CRC, UPR, US TIP, US DOL WFCL; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of including the reports of the ILO Committee Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of of Experts on the Application of Justice, Ministry of Information, Conventions and Recommendations MEPIR, DISMAC, Department of Social (CEACR) which makes observations and Welfare, Housing Authority, Public requests to Fiji. Rental Board, Save the Children Fiji, Red Cross, PIDC, ILO, UNICEF, IOM

Page 25 of 49

SESSION 6: IDENTIFICATION OF NATIONAL PRIORITIES & PLENARY (SESSION 7) Group Exercise and Presentation Group exercises were completed by participants using the templates provided and discussing the following questions: - What are the main issues to eliminate child labour, forced labour, slavery and human trafficking? - What currently exists and what and where are the gaps?

Groups were encouraged to consider innovative and accelerated actions, and ways to improve monitoring and accountability.

Main issues and challenges identified by groups related to: - Poor compliance and enforcement of the law - People unaware of the referral system to report child labour, forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking and agencies and services that exist for victims - Insufficient collaboration and coordination among relevant agencies, especially to prevent child labour, forced labour and human trafficking - Inconsistency in reporting on child labour, forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking - Inadequate capacity and training, especially specialised training required by frontline officers for example trauma training, identifying victims of trafficking and forced labour - Cultural norms, especially the culture of silence which allows these forms of exploitation to flourish - Not enough information and updated research on child labour, forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking and lack of public awareness on these issues - Lack of resources and funding to mobilse actions and provide enough services for victims - Poverty, family breakdowns and socio-economic situations - Actions are not addressing the demand for child labour, forced labour

Priorities and actions identified by groups (below) were reviewed by participants on Day 2, in Session 10 on developing a roadmap.

Page 26 of 49

For the SDG 8.7 target on all forms of child labour, especially the worst forms of child labour, four key priority areas were identified, with suggested actions:

PRIORITIES ACTIONS 1. Stronger national legislation, policies Amend legislation to ensure the definition of child is harmonised and compliance mechanisms to Enact pending Bills on Education, Cybercrime, Adoption of Infants and Child Justice protect all children from child labour, in particular the worst forms of child Incorporate child protection policies into all Government Ministries labour Conduct training on relevant legislation and policies in all sectors 2. Efficient data management and Develop a policy framework on the collection and centralisation of data collected by all agencies on child abuse and coordination mechanisms neglect, including child labour and child trafficking Define privacy limits on data agreed by all relevant agencies 3. Expanded social protection, Improve existing Family Support Programmes to dissuade child labour as an option livelihood and employment Develop child-centred preparedness and response strategy for national disaster situations to protect children programmes to benefit the most impacted by natural disasters vulnerable 4. Targeted policies and actions to Conduct a national baseline research on the worst forms of child labour combat the worst forms of child labour (children in slavery, Provide specialised and comprehensive training, including trauma training for all frontline workers, including commercial sexual exploitation, illicit authorities, social workers, teachers, school counsellors, community, youth and religious leaders and develop activities, and hazardous labour) training curriculum and resources Develop awareness programmes between universities and national authorities on cybercrimes, drug trafficking and other illicit activities Introduce child protection into school curriculums Implement a targeted civic and moral education programme Enforcement Coordination mechanism Conduct national awareness and media campaign

Page 27 of 49

For the SDG 8.7 target on forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking, five key priority areas were identified, with suggested actions:

PRIORITIES ACTIONS 1. Targeted policies and actions to Ratify Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 No.188 address forced labour, slavery and Conduct baseline research on the forced labour, slavery and human trafficking in the fisheries sector human trafficking in the fishing sector Develop and conduct training programmes for authorities on identification of victims of forced labour, slavery and human trafficking in the fisheries sector 2. Targeted policies and actions to Develop training curriculum on trafficking in persons for schools and communities combat trafficking in persons in Develop awareness materials on trafficking risks, vulnerabilities, referral procedures and profiles of stakeholders and vulnerable communities (awareness their roles, services provided and contact details campaigns, social protection and livelihood programmes) Conduct TIP awareness programmes in schools and communities 3. Implement the NAP to eradicate Update the NAP Framework to eradicate Trafficking in Person & Children in Fiji Trafficking in Person & Children in Fiji Develop a resource mobilization strategy to implement the NAP Framework to eradicate Trafficking in Person & Children in Fiji 4. Promote data management, Develop a framework to guide and promote the collaboration of agencies on actions combating forced labour, coordination and collaboration to modern slavery and human trafficking and sign MOUs with agencies for information sharing and joint actions combat trafficking in persons Set a standard reporting mechanism for all Agencies to report and provide to help build on trends and calculate the future TIP 5. Increase capacity building and Implement a capacity building programme for officers from government and NGOs and establish a network of research on trafficking in persons specialised trainers on trafficking in persons Provide trainers with training and awareness packages on trafficking in persons Establish a mechanism for information sharing and research and conduct research on trafficking in persons in collaboration with partner agencies Implement a targeted civic and moral education programme

Page 28 of 49

SESSION 8: GLOBAL PROGRESS & GOOD PRACTICES OF ALLIANCE 8.7 By Ms. Bharati Pflug, ILO Specialist

This session provided an overview of service centres, and integrate Alliance 8.7 good practices and examples vocational education of coordinating mechanisms, and of the - Mauritania- implement the national ILO Child Labour Platform and Global plan to eradicate forced labour; Business Network on Forced Labour. combat human trafficking through children education, more precisely Pathfinder countries are those that commit within refugees-hosting wilayas; to going further and faster to achieve protect migrant workers in Mauritania Target 8.7 of the SDGs and pave the way and abroad through the and inspire other countries, leaving no one implementation of the ILO Convention behind. Products for countries include the n° 142; eradicate the worst forms of Pathfinder Country Toolkit and Pathfinder child labour in at least 2 supply chains: Country Reports. artisanal fishery and dairy sector Examples of priority actions identified by - Chile- strengthen the knowledge base Pathfinder Countries following national on child labour and on trafficking in strategic planning workshops were shared persons, ; continue awareness including : campaigns on child labour and on Madagascar- Strengthening the forced labour/trafficking in persons, capacity and resources of labour enhance the capacity of relevant inspectors; conducting a child labour officers and to improve child labour survey and creating a child labour data and forced labour/trafficking in base; establishing a national hub on the persons detection / and derivation situation of human trafficking; and services; continue with legal developing a bilateral labour modifications around child labour and agreement and revising the labour forced labour/trafficking in persons; migration framework and improve the supply of - Nepal- align federal laws on child employability projects for adults and labour and forced labour with national youth of legal working age of laws by 2019 ; revise the Foreign vulnerable groups at risk of child Employment Act; integrated data on labour, forced labour and trafficking. child labour, forced labour and human In Uganda the national coordination trafficking ; 10 child labour free committee was established under the municipalities by 2020 ; sign MOUs and leadership of the Ministry of Labour to bilateral agreements with destination monitor the actions taken and provide countries ; coherence between child appropriate follow-up and sub- labour policy and education laws in committees established on child labour, terms of children’s ages; form human trafficking, and forced labour. committees at province and local levels In Nepal a high level SDG Alliance 8.7 for child labour inspection, child labour coordination committee was established monitoring and rescue ; establish to coordinate action and review progress labour committees and employment on SDG 8.7 areas and secretariat for Alliance 8.7 established at the Ministry of

Page 29 of 49

Employment. Each Ministry, MOLESS, event on A8.7 in New York in 2021; and the Ministry of Women and Ministry of Land UN International Year for the Elimination Management was tasked to develop an of Child Labour 2021. integrated work plan for 2019 on child labour, forced and bonded labour. The ILO Child Labour Platform is a business- Lessons learnt on establishing a national led initiative to eliminate child labour in Alliance 8.7 coordinating mechanism and supply chains and provides concrete implementing the roadmap included: solutions for buyers, factory owners and - Endorsement at the highest political suppliers by supporting member level possible companies through a comprehensive - Critical role of the national focal point process of due diligence across tiers. It to lead the process includes support for embedding strong - Involve different Ministries and policies and good business practice, coordinate with UN agencies and UN measuring impact and addressing root Resident Coordinator. All relevant causes through local and global dialogue stakeholders should be involved with governments, employer’s and - A resource mobilization strategy workers’ organizations and other should be put in place to implement stakeholders. By joining the Child Labour the roadmap and the Secretariat of Platform a company can draw on the ILO’s Alliance 8.7 and GCG partners should convening power among governments, support the Government in its effort to workers’ and employers’ organizations, mobilize resources upon request trade associations, chambers of commerce - Engagement of social partners has and industry to jointly address the root been important and involvement of causes of the problem. Engagement with civil society. these stakeholders is essential for effective - Involve other government ministries to human rights due diligence, can head off take leading roles problems before they materialize, and - Pathfinder Countries participation in improve the sustainability of supply chains. global and regional events has been positive. Companies also join ILO initiatives to prevent, assess risks and remediate child Upcoming global and regional events labour and violations of other fundamental planned include the Asian Regional principles and rights at work in sourcing Meeting on Alliance 8.7 and the Forced countries; work with companies across Labour Protocol in Kathmandu, Nepal on sectors to develop innovative 20-22 November 2019; the Child Labour collaboration models to tackle child labour Forum, The Hague, January 2020 organized in supply chains with a decent work by the Netherlands, the Global March approach; receive guidance on how to against Child Labour and ILO- the event will improve company policies and practice in combine a review of the pledges made light of the ILO child Labour Conventions, during the IV Global Conference in other International Labour Standards and Argentina and a discussion on the role of instruments and the UN Guiding Principles governments and business in the on Business and Human Rights; access elimination of child labour in supply chains practical tools for due diligence on such and focus on Pathfinder Countries and core topics as age verification, monitoring pledges and priorities made during and remediation, coupled with state of the strategic planning workshops; an HLPF side art training and capacity building, and

Page 30 of 49

receive tailored-made training and other government agencies and plus guidance in the shape of easy-to-replicate partners should be included in the national materials that convey practical approaches coordinating alliance. As a Pathfinder on the identification, prevention and Country, next steps for Fiji were: remediation of child labour in supply - Identify priority actions chains. - Set up a coordination structure - Mobilise necessary resources In conclusion, Ms. Pflug emphasized for - Collect data National Focal Point to be established to be - Set up a monitoring system supported by UN Agencies and resources - Share practices made available. Social partners and also - Intensify technical support

Ms. Celia Havesi, from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, People Smuggling and Trafficking Unit also contributed to the session on Australia’s role as the former chair of Alliance 8.7 Global Coordinating Committee. She highlighted that the government’s main focus was on people smuggling and human trafficking and targeting the business communities to be a major player and contributing to all discussions and actions. A good lesson learned is a more coherent coordination at the Global level supporting all national initiatives from all pathfinder countries. A terms of reference was developed for the Alliance 8.7 Global Coordinating Committee and various agencies and government partners are included in the group. Australia was the chair of the Alliance 8.7 for 18 months of before handing over to the French Government.

SESSION 9: PANEL DISCUSSION ON ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL ALLIANCE 8.7 MECHANISM Moderated by Ms. Bharati Pflug

Page 31 of 49

Panelists: - Ms. Ela Tukutukulevu, Assistant Director Child Services, Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation - Mr. Hem Chand, Director Primary Education, Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts - Mr. Nesbitt Hazelman, Chief Executive Officer, Fiji Commerce and Employers Mr. Agni Deo Singh, Executive Member & National Treasurer, Fiji Trade Union Congress and General Secretary, Fiji Teachers Union

This session was aimed at exploring the Act, Child Welfare Act, Community- Based establishment of a National Alliance 8.7 Corrections Act and the UNCRC and Hague mechanism, identifying the role the focal Convention on the Protection of Children point and how the National Alliance 8.7 in respect of inter-country adoptions. should be coordinated and the organizational structure. Panellists were The MWCPA has a Child Services Unit in the Department of Social Welfare (DoSW) that asked to: monitors child abuse and neglect including - Share the potential contribution that child labour. Two major roles of the your organization/ network towards Department of Social Welfare under the achieving SDG 8.7. Previous efforts by MWCPA are Social Protection and Child your agency to combat child labour, Protection. The MWCPA has developed a child protection toolkit and conducts forced labour or trafficking may be awareness in schools and communities highlighted. including the annual Prevention of Child - What should be considered when Abuse and Neglect (PCAN) campaign. Inter- establishing the National Alliance 8.7 agency committees from division to district mechanism? What contribution/ role level have been formed and guidelines on would your organization play in this child abuse and neglect including child National Alliance 8.7? labour have been developed which - What should be the organizational identifies the roles of members of the structure of the National Alliance 8.7 inter-agency committees. In 2015 the mechanism in terms of partners (who MWCPA established the national child should be involved), coordination helpline. mechanism (composition, chair, Currently the MWCPA chairs the National meetings, decision making), secretariat Coordinating Committee on Children (NCCC) which was established when Fiji and communications. ratified the UNCRC and receives technical Ms. Ela Tukutukulevu focused on child support from UNICEF. The NCCC has services and the coordinating mechanism members from various government in place for child protection. The vision of ministries, NGOs and UNICEF and ILO and the Ministry of Women, Children and discusses legislation, policies and issues on Poverty Alleviation is “Transformed child protection. The NCCC has sub- communities with empowered women, committees including the Child Labour children, older persons and the Sub-Committee and CSEC Sub-Committee. disadvantaged” and legislations that The NCCC has strengthened networks mandates the Ministry as the authority between members of the NCCC who may responsible for children include the Family be called upon to address issues together, Law Act, Juveniles Act, Adoption of Infants

Page 32 of 49 working within existing structures and protection risk assessment and develop sharing information with each other. strategies to address those risks.MOE is also working with Social Welfare Recommended actions and way forward department and Police Department to include conducting more research, reduce school dropouts to reduce child establishing a centralised data system on labour and trafficking. children and child exploitation, and Efforts to end forced labour, human improving the mechanisms to share trafficking and child labour in all its forms information among stakeholders. requires concerted and focused actions

involving all stakeholders and many actors: Mr. Hem Chand began his speech with a - Increased awareness quote from Nelson Mandela “Education is - Powerful advocacy for high level the most powerful weapon where you can commitment. use to change the world”. He summarized - More effective policies and action plans role of the Ministry to provide quality - Support for innovative ideas education and awareness to the people of - Knowledge sharing Fiji. Education is free from primary to - Empowerment of Women, men and secondary schools in Fiji. The current children to claim their rights. government policies from 2014 for free - Strengthening partnership with other education and bus fares or free text books Ministries and NGO’s could have contributed to reduce in school - Sharing of data/information between dropouts. Currently, the number of stakeholders dropouts in Fiji is 274, and the Ministry has taken the initiative to send Education Mr. Nesbit Hazelman outlined the role of Officials to visit the parents of the children the Employers Federation and support it that have dropout from schools. So far the provides to over 500 members. FECF Ministry has visited 200 students. services include advocacy and lobbying;

training and development (both local and To combat child labour, the Ministry of overseas); IR & HR consultancy; Education, Heritage and Arts (MOE) has in information dissemination; survey and place a policy on Child Protection in research information; publications such as Schools which has zero tolerance on abuse, the cost of doing business in Fiji; business child labour trafficking, neglect and networking; council meetings, and sharing exploitation of children. The policy also information through newsletters, website provides a framework for the protection, and facebook. identification, managing and reporting incidents of child abuse in schools, religious FCEF operates through 9 Councils: establishments, social centres and - Retailers Council wherever organised educational - Mining & quarry Council programmes are conducted so that the - Professional & Financial Services delivery of MOE mission is realized. Under Council the Child Welfare decree of 2010, all - Human Resources Council teachers in schools and MOE officials are - Manufacturing, Trade & Export Council mandated to report any suspected case of - Tourism and Transport Council child abuse or neglect, including child - Women Entrepreneurs & Business labour and trafficking. All schools are Council required to undertake a full child - Young Entrepreneurs Council

Page 33 of 49

- Business Disaster Resilience Council planning and a strategic plan is necessary. FCEF has recently extended its programme - The 8.7 Alliance is a win-win situation and support to the Non- formal sectors or for the involvement of the tripartite the SMEs since 80% of businesses are from bodies as Child Labour, Forced Labour this sector. FCEF is currently working with and Human Trafficking usually brings the MEPIR and other stakeholders to all parties to work together. review the current laws and this will guide - FCEF councils can be avenues for the employers to update its guidelines and engagement. For example, the Fiji policies as well. The new reform has zero Business Disaster Resilience Council is tolerance for Child Labour and there will be leading the training on Business heavier penalties for breaches. FCEF has Continuity Plan to train local conducted child labour training for businesses and their families to recover members, child labour awareness for very quickly after disasters, and this retailers, students and teachers, and also monitors and prevents children developed a child labour guide for forced to work after a disaster. This employers. Council was established after Cyclone Winston to coordinate support and Mr. Hazelman proposed the following relief works at the community level. considerations when establishing a Using this platform will be an national alliance coordinating mechanism: opportunity to monitor or conduct - The purpose of the coordinating surveys on children and people mechanism should be to strengthen affected and support the recovery of commitment and collaboration families. amongst the different stakeholders to take ownership of their To move forward, the role of FCEF will be responsibilities. Therefore all to advocate for Alliance 8.7 to the private stakeholders should be included. sector and employers and support the - Data collectivity and accessibility to development and implementation of information and the importance of guidelines. coordination and data sharing should be considered and the committee Mr. Agni Deo Singh presented FTUC should nominate a designated unit for contributions to combating child labour, data collection or design a data bank. considerations for establishing an Alliance - The coordination mechanism should 8.7 mechanism and the role of the trade consider financial support for unions in this alliance and supporting the stakeholders, and the issue of country in achieving the SDG 8.7 target. sustainability is particularly relevant for In partnership with the TACKLE project the programme or projects that are funded FTUC implemented an action programme by development partners- when the titled “Empowering Families and money ends the programme and the Communities To Prevent and Remove key players become idle or non- Children From Child Labour: Mobilising involved. Schools and Communities to Prevent 300 - The private sector will need clear at- risk children from engaging in child strategies for them to be involved, and labour”. This involved working with schools government will need to lead. Money is and communities to prevent 800 students time for the private sector so proper from dropping out of school and into child

Page 34 of 49

labour through education assistance for Mr. Singh proposed the following fees and remedial classes for students. considerations when establishing the Trade Union leaders, youth and women’s national coordinating mechanism for committee representatives were trained Alliance 8.7: as focal points at the divisional level at - Tripartite composition as core schools and workplaces and monitoring members with Tripartite plus as visits to monitor progress of student, stakeholders teacher and families were conducted in the - Coordination with NCCC central, western and northern divisions, - Full time Secretariat supported by referrals if needed to Social - Lead role by the Ministry of welfare, training for Income generating Employment and other ministries such small businesses and assistance schemes, as the Ministry of Economy who and referral to other agencies for skills reports on SDGs should be included trainings. - Formal appointment of stakeholder focal points to the national alliance for Good practices that were realised as a consistency result of the action programme included: - Regular/ planned meeting schedules - Existing networks were vibrant and - Dedicated time-bound workplan until active and new networks were formed the 2030 deadline with other stakeholders - Where are the resources? Importance - Early Identification of at risk children of sustainability and strengthening and face to face interviews national coordination and the need for - Involvement of all stakeholders( government to put aside budget parents, guardians/teachers, annually to support its coordinating communities) role and actions to achieve the SDG - Supplementing school financial needs target 8.7. with remedial classes, counselling, - Utilise existing platforms and expertise lunches

- Involvement of workers/employers to In concluding he proposed that the role of curb under-aged employment at trade unions in assisting government to workplaces achieve the SDG 8.7 would be to include Additionally, other actions implemented the SDGs (and target 8.7) into regular trade by the FTUC has been leading the research union trainings including training of survey on Children Working in Schools and teacher unions and teachers through the supporting the survey on Commercial existing union network. Trade union reps Sexual exploitation of Children in Fiji, are the eyes and ears (monitoring) at supporting the child labour law review and workplace and schools and are focal points hazardous child labour list, appointment of for reporting incidences of child labour and district level focal points, developing and could undertake a trade union survey with publishing a Trade Union Handbook on Employers Group on incidence of child Child Labour, setting up of a scholarship labour at the workplace and develop a plan scheme by Fiji Teachers Union to assist of action. Trade unions can also lobby for children from less fortunate families to implementation of core conventions. He attend school and awareness in the also recommended: hospitality sector on the use of children for - Role of media in public awareness is illicit work. crucial

Page 35 of 49

- Generic materials developed for The MOE representative explained that dissemination to the public one of the problems causing the increase - Greater Involvement of religious in class sizes in urban schools was the institutions and structure as they hold increased rural – urban drift. Currently, powerful roles in society and tradition MOE working with schools to build more - Regular Roadshows to reach grassroots classrooms. & communities - FTUC can be one of the co-chairs of the The FTUC representative noted that the Alliance 8.7 or technical groups teachers unions have been advocating for - SDG 8.7 networking with other the provision of 2 teachers in classrooms of countries who have similar platforms over 40 students to address student- teacher ratio issues. This teaching modality Following the panel presentations, will need to be introduced in Teaching comments and queries were raised Training institutions regarding reporting on child abuse, including child labour in schools by teachers and the issue of very large class sizes and impact on quality education.

The MOE representative responded that reporting child labour and child protection issues from teachers in school is mandatory and the MOE continues to remind teachers of this important responsibility. Reporting can be done by teachers to school child protection officers to school heads and also straight to the District Education Officers or through the Child Help Line. Collaborating with relevant NGOs and other government agencies to share information and data is important.

The issue of student teacher ratio was raised and concerns about class sizes where the number of students to one teacher is over 40/1. In the past class sizes were 25 students to one teacher which was more manageable and the teacher had more time for individual students. With large class sizes quality education was compromised.

Page 36 of 49

SESSION 10: DRAFTING OF THE SDG 8.7 ROADMAP & DEVELOPING SHORT TERM WORKPLANS (SESSION 11)

This session met the second objective of the forum, to provide input into a national roadmap for achieving SDG 8.7. Participants reviewed and changed (if necessary) the identified priorities and actions. The groups also set timeframes, and identified resources required, responsible agencies, measurable results, and related organisational strategies and national action plans, considering the four main drivers to achieve SDG 8.7- acceleration, innovation, monitoring and accountability.

The session began with a brief summary of key priorities and actions identified by groups in Session 7 on Day 1. The following priorities were identified to achieve the SDG Target on Child labour: - Strengthen national legislation, policies and compliance mechanisms to protect all children from child labour, in particular the worst forms of child labour - Efficient data management and coordination mechanisms - Strengthen social protection, livelihood and employment programmes to benefit the most vulnerable - Targeted policies and actions to combat the worst forms of child labour

For the target on child labour and the worst forms of child labour, Group 1 addressed priority 2 on data management, Group 2 addressed Priority 3 on social protection and Group 3 addressed Priority 4 on targeted worst forms of child labour. All the 3 groups were also required to address priority 1 on strengthening legislation, policies and compliance/enforcement. The following priorities were identified to achieve the SDG Target on Forced Labour, Slavery and Human Trafficking: - Targeted policies and actions to address forced labour, slavery and human trafficking in the fishing sector - Targeted policies and actions to combat trafficking in persons in vulnerable communities - Implement the NAP to eradicate Trafficking in Person & Children in Fiji - Promote data management, coordination and collaboration to combat trafficking in persons - Increase capacity building and research on trafficking in persons

For the target on forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking, Group 4 addressed priority 1 on forced labour in fisheries and priority 2 on targeted actions in vulnerable communities. Group 5 worked on priorities 3,4, 5 on the National Action Plan on Trafficking In Persons, data management and capacity building and research. The draft road maps are presented in Annex 1.

Following the plenary, groups identified immediate actions for implementation (Session 11) which included:

Page 37 of 49

- Establishing a national coordination or steering committee for Alliance 8.7 and working groups - Introducing child protection into the school curriculum - Reviewing the existing policy framework on the collection and centralisation of data collected by all agencies on child abuse and neglect, including child labour and child trafficking - Conducting training programmes for authorities on identification of victims of forced labour, slavery and human trafficking in the fisheries sector - Re-establishing the Inter-agency working group for trafficking in persons to review, update and implement the NAP on Trafficking in Persons 2011. The group also recommended seeking technical support from development partners such as DFAT and UN Agencies for a specialized officer to support the Department of Immigration in this process

Page 38 of 49

SESSION 12: OVERALL SUMMARY, NEXT STEPS & CLOSING By Mr. Vilimone Baledrokadroka, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations

Mr. Baledrokadroka wrapped up the forum, beginning by thanking all the participants, panellists, presenters, forum administrators, specialists and facilitators for investing their time and contributions into the forum. He noted that the forum was successful in bringing participants together to commit to contribute to Fiji’s effort as a Pathfinder country to achieve the SDG target 8.7 and commended the frank sharing by participants in identifying gaps, challenges and strengths, and proposing actions that should be taken to move forward. As a result the forum has succeeded in drafting a roadmap for achieving the targets on child labour/ worst forms of child labour, forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking. He advised that following the forum a report of the forum deliberations would be prepared and would include a draft of the roadmap which would be shared with participants. The organising committee of the forum would further discuss the establishment of the national coordination or steering committee for Alliance 8.7 and communicate with forum participants the outcome of these discussions. It was expected that participants would reconvene to review and finalise the roadmap and possibly technical working groups would be established. All presentations and working papers for the forum were given to participants on a flash- drive. Mr. Baledrokadroka again expressed the appreciation of the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations to all participating agencies for their commitment to combating child labour, forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking in Fiji. He wished all participants safe travels and a good weekend, and closed the forum.

ANNEXES

Page 39 of 49

Annex 1: Draft Road Maps

Annex 2: Agenda

Annex 3: Participant List

Page 40 of 49

ANNEX 1

A: DRAFT ROADMAP: TARGET ON CHILD LABOUR/ WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOUR Priorities Actions Partners and Timeframe Resources Measurable results Link to existing existing required national policies/ committees/ plans workgroups 1. Stronger Amend legislation to ensure NCCC/ MWCPA 2025 TBC All national ERA 2007 national the definition of child is ERAB/ MEPIR legislation specify legislation, harmonised age of child under policies and 18 years compliance Enact pending Bills on NCCC/ MWCPA 2022 TBC Number of Bills Check also light work mechanisms to Education, Cybercrime, MOE enacted and protection of protect all Adoption of Infants and Child SG Office children in the children from Justice entertainment sector child labour, in Incorporate child protection MWCPA 2021 TBC 5 Government particular the policies into Government All Govt Ministries adopt worst forms of Ministries Ministries CPP child labour Conduct training on relevant MEPIR December TBC 5 legislative Inter-agency legislation and policies in all DOI 2020 training workshops guidelines sectors Police conducted by end HT NAP MWCPA 2020 Draft CL NAP 2. Efficient data Review the existing policy MWCPA March Matrix of Policy framework Draft CL NAP management framework on the collection UNICEF 2020 existing policies and action plan for Child Welfare Decree and coordination and centralisation of data FBOS Resource centralisation of & Inter-agency mechanisms collected by all agencies on personnel data developed by Guidelines child abuse and neglect, child end 2020 labour and child trafficking

Page 41 of 49

Develop an MOU between NCCC/ MWCPA End 2020 Resource MOUs for data relevant government FBOS personnel sharing including agencies for sharing of data, Police access and privacy including access and privacy MOE limits signed limits on data agreed by all MEPIR between relevant agencies UNICEF, ILO government agencies by 2021 Establish a system for data NCCC/ MWCPA End 2020 Technical Database created CL database, Police collection, storage, analysis FBOS, Police assistance and active database, CWD and sharing with key MOE, MEPIR Resource database, MOE stakeholders UNICEF, ILO personnel database, Child Capacity helpline database building Establish a steering MEPIR September Resource TOR developed for Existing coordination committee on Alliance 8.7 and 2019 personnel steering committee mechanisms technical working groups Capacity Members - Human trafficking building appointed task force/ working TOR developed for group working groups - NCCC/ CL and CSEC subcommittees 3. Expanded social Improve existing Family MWCPA/ DoSW/ December Funding Baseline report on Check FWRM mapping protection, Support Programmes to NCC 2019 existing social of social protection livelihood and prevent child labour CSOs, FBOs protection schemes employment schemes programmes to Evaluation of social benefit the most protection vulnerable schemes Develop child-centred MOE 2020 Funding Child protection in MOE Policies preparedness and response MWCPA/ DoSW/ Technical DRR module added Inter-agency strategy for national disaster NCCC assistance to MOE curriculum guidelines

Page 42 of 49

situations to protect children FCOSS, FBOS and teacher impacted by natural disasters NDMO training course 4. Targeted policies Review, update and conduct a MEPIR 2020-2021 Funding Sectors with high Draft CL NAP and actions to national baseline research on MWCPA/ NCCC Data and incidence of WFCL combat the the worst forms of child MCS, MOA information identified worst forms of labour referencing the 2009 FBOS, DOI Local expertise child labour- research findings as baseline CSOs (CSOs reps, Awareness and (children in data and integrating right- USP, FNU research training on WFCL slavery, based and gender-based ILO assistants, informed by commercial approach and anaylsis researchers) research findings sexual Provide specialised and Empower Pacific 2020-2024 Training of 200 certified social exploitation, comprehensive training, FWCC, MSP trainers workers illicit activities, including trauma training for PTC, HoH specialists for and hazardous all frontline workers, including FNU trauma therapy labour) authorities, social workers, MWCPA Funding teachers, school counsellors, MOE community, youth and Police religious leaders and develop Legal Aid training curriculum and Youth & Sports resources Develop awareness FNU, USP, 2020-2024 Technical 10 education programmes between Police, NSAAC expertise sessions conducted universities and national FHEC, DOI Funding by 2021 to authorities on cybercrimes, FRCS, Online Campaigns students through drug trafficking and other Safety FNU, embedded in illicit activities Commission Ethics courses Introduce child protection MOE, MWCPA 2020 Technical Include module on into school curriculums UNICEF, Save expertise WFCL into primary the Children, school curriculum CSOs

Page 43 of 49

Implement a national civic FNU, USP 2020-2025 Funding 100 social workers, and moral education Save the Technical line & middle programme Children, CSOs expertise managers, prison MWCPA, Police warders, police UNICEF officers, trained on civic and moral education Enforcement of worst forms MEPIR 2020-2025 Technical Increase number of ERA 2007 of child labour laws Police expertise inspections in Draft CL NAP Human areas where there Hazardous Child resources is WFCL Labour List Funding Crimes Act Increase number of Juveniles Act WFCL reported Immigration Act cases NAP TIP

Increase number of children in WFCL accessing services

Increase number of perpetrators prosecuted for exploitation of children in the WFCL

Page 44 of 49

B: DRAFT ROADMAP: TARGET ON FORCED LABOUR, MODERN SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Priorities Actions Partners and Timeframe Resources Measurable results Link to existing existing required national policies/ committees/ plans workgroups 1. Targeted policies Ratify Work in Fishing MEPIR/ ERAB 2025 Technical Convention ratified and actions to Convention, 2007 No.188 FTUC/ FCEF expertise address forced Foreign Affairs labour, slavery Fishing and human Association trafficking in the FIMSA, Police, fishing sector Immigration, ILO Review and upgrade MEPIR/ ERAB 2020-2025 Technical Standard operating NAP TIP certification of seafarers to FTUC/ FCEF expertise procedures for meet international standards Foreign Affairs Funding labour inspection, Fishing Human referral and Association resources monitoring of OSH FIMSA, Police of seafarers Immigration developed Develop screening MEPIR/ ERAB 2021 Technical Screening NAP TIP mechanism to proactively FTUC/ FCEF expertise mechanism to screen foreign migrant Foreign Affairs Funding proactively screen workers in the fisheries Fishing Human foreign migrant industry Association resources workers in the FIMSA, Police fisheries industry Immigration developed

Page 45 of 49

Conduct baseline research on MEPIR/ ERAB 2021 Technical Research report NAP TIP the forced labour, slavery and FTUC/ FCEF expertise endorsed and human trafficking in the Foreign Affairs Funding published fisheries sector Fishing Human Association resources FIMSA, Police Immigration Develop and conduct training MEPIR/ ERAB 2021 Technical Number of officers NAP TIP programmes for authorities FTUC/ FCEF expertise trained on identification of victims of Foreign Affairs Funding forced labour, slavery and Fishing Human human trafficking in the Association resources fisheries sector FIMSA, Police Immigration 2. Targeted policies Develop training curriculum MEPIR/ ERAB 2021 Technical Trafficking training NAP TIP and actions to on trafficking in persons for FTUC/ FCEF expertise curriculum combat schools and communities, Foreign Affairs Funding developed trafficking in including trafficking risks, Fishing Human persons in vulnerabilities, referral Association resources Trafficking training vulnerable procedures and profiles of FIMSA, Police resource materials communities stakeholders and their roles, Immigration developed (awareness services provided and contact CSOs campaigns, details ILO, IOM social protection Conduct TIP awareness MEPIR/ ERAB 2021 Technical Number of NAP TIP and livelihood programmes in schools and FTUC/ FCEF expertise awareness programmes) communities Foreign Affairs Funding programmes Fishing Human conducted Association resources FIMSA, Police Increased reports Immigration on forced labour,

Page 46 of 49

CSOs slavery and human ILO, IOM trafficking 3. Implement the Update the NAP Framework Re-establish TIP End 2019 Cabinet level NAP TIP NAP to eradicate to eradicate Trafficking in Inter-agency endorsement Trafficking in Person & Children in Fiji working group, and reporting Person & chaired by DOI Children in Fiji Police, Fiji Intelligence Unit, FIRCA, Transnational Crime Unit, DPP, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Health, Justice, Information, MEPIR, DISMAC, MWCPA, HA, PRB, Save the Children, Red Cross, PIDC, ILO, UNICEF, IOM Develop a resource TIP Inter-agency Early 2020 Budget for NAP NAP TIP NAP TIP mobilization strategy to working group, implementation implemented implement the NAP DOI included in each Framework to eradicate IOM government Ministries including Trafficking in Person & ministry NAP TIP activities Children in Fiji submission in in their budget 2020 submissions

Page 47 of 49

4. Promote data Develop a framework and TIP Inter-agency Mid-2020 Secretariat for Cabinet level Review privacy policies management, mechanism to guide data and working group, TIP Inter-agency endorsement and and data-sharing rules coordination and information sharing and DOI working group reporting collaboration to promote the collaboration of IOM combat agencies on actions CSOs trafficking in combating forced labour, Regional persons, forced modern slavery and human organisations labour and trafficking UN agencies modern slavery Set a standard reporting Teachers, Mid- 2020 Technical Reporting mechanism for all agencies counsellors support to mechanism (and other relevant people- TIP Inter-agency develop implemented teachers, counsellors etc) to working group reporting report and provide to help mechanism build on trends and calculate the future TIP Sign MOUs with agencies for TIP Inter-agency 2020 Technical MOUs signed and Bilateral/ multi-lateral information sharing and joint working group support reviewed every agreements actions DOI, IOM, CSOs two years Regional organisations UN agencies Develop/ review national TIP Inter-agency 2020-2021 Mapping of Referrals increased Inter-agency referral mechanism for working group current guidelines/ referral Government Ministries and DOI, IOM, CSOs, situation mechanism service providers to manage NCCC, MWCPA, Human or refer trafficking cases MEPIR resources Digitalisation of data in all TIP Inter-agency 2020-2030 Funding Data digitalised relevant ministries working group Technical DOI, IOM, CSOs, assistance

Page 48 of 49

NCCC, MWCPA, Digitalisation MEPIR officers (AVI) 5. Increase Implement a capacity building MEPIR, MOE, 2020-2021 Network of trainers capacity building programme for officers from Regional on trafficking, and research on government and NGOs and organisations forced labour and trafficking in establish a network of UN agencies, modern slavery persons, forced trainers in the country ILO, IOM exists a labour and modern slavery Network of trainers conduct training nation-wide Conduct research on USP, FNU 2020-2021 Funding Primary research NAP TIP trafficking in persons, forced Regional Researchers on trafficking in labour and modern slavery in universities persons, forced collaboration with partner labour and modern agencies slavery

Page 49 of 49