Our Government has failed, says PM Rabuka

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has called for an assessment of the nation’s social challenges, noting that the growing number of children selling food on the streets at night points to wider failures. Mr Rabuka remarks come amid growing concern over child labour.

Speaking about the issue, Mr Rabuka described it as a symptom of a broader societal breakdown. He cited outdated laws, weak enforcement, and a lack of ministerial accountability as factors that have allowed child labour, drug abuse, and other social problems to escalate unchecked.

“It tells us that we are failing as a community, as a society, as a nation. And parenthood has failed,” Mr Rabuka said in a statement.

Social media has increasingly exposed images and stories of children some under the age of 15 selling food late into the night in urban centres. Mr Rabuka acknowledged this growing issue, confirming that these activities qualify as child labour under Fijian law, yet, admitted it had not been formally raised to him by the ministers responsible.

“They have not brought it up,” Mr Rabuka said, referring to the Minister for Women and Children and the Minister for Labour. “Now that I will ask them about what’s going on with those areas."

Mr Rabuka also highlighted the country’s worsening drug crisis, linking it indirectly to the rise in street vending by children and suggesting that what appears to be harmless street sales may involve exploitation and deeper dangers. “Who knows what is behind what they’re selling?” he asked.

“Hard drugs... is also another issue.” Mr Rabuka cited recent drug trials and called for swift establishment of a Drug Rehabilitation Centre, though no concrete timelines were provided.

“Hopefully the law will catch up with the trend. The trend is that it’s increasing and getting worse,” he said, noting that current penalties are based on legislation passed “a few years ago,” and may no longer reflect the severity of the problem.

He also shared his concerns over what he views as lenient penalties for drug offenders, despite intensive police investigations and judicial proceedings. “We spent a lot of time trying to trace them down, investigating, taking them to court, and then they come away smiling It’s discouraging to those hoping to improve the country.”

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