A construction company in Fiji is under investigation for allegedly housing 34 Bangladeshi workers in substandard conditions. Pacific General Builders, based in Lautoka and owned by Sunil Prasad, has been accused of keeping the workers in poorly ventilated shipping containers for five months at a site in Volivoli, Rakiraki.
Minister for Employment, Agni Deo Singh, announced on Tuesday that the situation is being reviewed by the Division of Anti-Human Trafficking Services of the Fiji Police Force, looking for any indications of forced labor or human trafficking. The company has reportedly been issued a stop work order along with a $10,000 fine for violating employment regulations.
Reports of the workers’ conditions emerged following complaints from some of the workers combined with inquiries from the media. When visited, the workers were found waiting for officials from the Department of Immigration, seated outside while living in five containers that lack adequate ventilation for cooking and sleeping.
Despite the claims from the company owner, Mr. Prasad, that the workers are not staying in the containers, their accounts suggest otherwise. Workers described the heat and discomfort of living in the containers, where they relied on gas stoves for cooking and had to leave doors open for ventilation at night.
The Bangladeshi workers had signed three-year contracts to work on a resort construction project but allege that their working conditions were far from what was promised. In a related case, another Bangladeshi worker recounted his own struggles with employment conditions, including false promises regarding wages and work responsibilities.
Migrant workers, particularly from Bangladesh, play a significant role in Fiji’s economy, helping to address labor shortages especially in sectors like construction. However, many face dire working conditions and exploitation, paralleling challenges seen in countries like Malaysia and Thailand.
The recent case serves as a reminder of the global issue of labor exploitation and the need for stronger protections for migrant workers. Notably, the International Labour Organisation has reported a significant number of international migrant workers face similar challenges. As the investigation continues, there remains hope that appropriate measures will be taken to address these grievances and improve conditions for migrant workers in Fiji.
This situation highlights the critical need for better oversight and protections for migrant workers, not only in Fiji but globally, to ensure that their rights are respected and upheld.
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