Debate over raising minimum working age from 15 to 16

A proposed law to raise the minimum working age from 15 to 16 has sparked debate over whether children should still be allowed to help out in family-run shops — with parental consent.

Committee Chairperson and Assistant Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Sakiusa Tubuna raised the issue yesterday during a submission hearing on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, noting that many small and family-owned businesses rely on younger family members to help run their operations.

"SMEs most of the time employ their relatives and family members to look after the business," Mr Tubuna said.

Suva Retailers Association President Jitesh Patel said children should still be allowed to work, provided parents give written consent and all wage regulations are followed.

"Children should be allowed to be employed through parental consent — a letter from the parent can be signed — but they have to be paid accordingly to the wages regulations that are currently in place," Mr Patel said.

He stressed that proper pay must apply, pushing back against the idea that young workers could be paid below the minimum wage.

Mr Tubuna also raised a separate but related provision in the bill that would allow a child from the age of 16 to join a trade union — a move that could give young workers an organised voice earlier in their working lives.

Mr Patel said unions currently have little presence in the retail sector, where wages and conditions are mostly negotiated directly between employers and employees.

The bill is currently before Parliament's Standing Committee on Economic Affairs for public consultation.

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