Companies that neglect to pay their employees’ wages are facing legal action, according to Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Agni Deo Singh. The Minister’s remarks come in response to inquiries about complaints from both current and former staff of a security firm based in Suva.
Meli Tamani Tuidraki, a former security officer aged 45, recently lost his job after addressing Pioneer Security Services director, Rodney Nand, about his unpaid salary. “We have referred all issues of unpaid salaries to the courts,” stated Minister Singh.
During a visit to his family in Lami, Mr. Tuidraki expressed his frustration over the lack of payment, which has hindered his ability to support his family. “I have six family members relying on me. On Tuesday, I cooked the last pot of rice and eggs for my son to take to school,” he shared. He added that he informed his son that it would be the last day he could attend school due to insufficient funds for the bus fare.
This incident marks the second occasion Mr. Tuidraki’s salary has not been disbursed on time. He recounted a confrontation with Mr. Nand at New World Supermarket in Damodar complex when he sought clarification about his paycheck. “I have been employed with PSS since July of last year, yet no contributions have been made to my Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF). During our argument, he slapped my hat off, and I reacted in self-defense. He then threatened to reduce my salary and terminated my employment,” Mr. Tuidraki explained.
Distressed and in need, he has submitted grievances to the Ministry of Labour and the FNPF, as well as to this news outlet. He lamented the inability to borrow money, stating that he might have to resort to searching for food for his next meal. Efforts to reach Mr. Nand for comment were unsuccessful as he was not at his home, and attempts to contact him via phone and messages went unanswered.