Companies that neglect to pay employee wages are facing legal action, according to Agni Deo Singh, the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations. His comments came in response to inquiries about complaints made by former and current workers of a security firm based in Suva.
Meli Tamani Tuidraki, aged 45 and a former security officer, lost his job after confronting Pioneer Security Services director Rodney Nand over delayed salary payments. Singh stated, “All issues regarding unpaid salaries that have been brought to our attention have been directed to the courts.”
While visiting his family in Lami, Tuidraki expressed his frustration at the company’s failure to settle his wages, which has severely impacted his ability to support his family. “I have six family members relying on me,” he lamented. “On Tuesday, I prepared the last meal of rice and eggs for my son to take to school.” He added that Tuesday would mark the last day his son could attend school due to a lack of funds for bus fare.
This is now the second instance where Tuidraki’s monthly pay has not been disbursed on time. He recounted confronting Nand at New World Supermarket about his overdue paycheck, stating, “I have been employed at PSS since July of last year, and yet my contributions to the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) have not been made.” He described a physical altercation with Nand, during which he was slapped and subsequently fired on the spot after defending himself.
Overwhelmed and distressed, Tuidraki has filed complaints with the Ministry of Labour, the FNPF, and other media outlets. He mentioned that borrowing money would not be feasible and that he would have to search for whatever food he can find for his family’s next meal. Attempts to reach Nand were unsuccessful, as he was not at home, and calls and messages remained unanswered.