Companies that fail to meet their wage obligations are facing legal action, according to Agni Deo Singh, the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations. Singh made this statement in response to inquiries about complaints from former and current employees of a security firm based in Suva.
One of the affected individuals, 45-year-old Meli Tamani Tuidraki, a former security officer, reported that he was dismissed from his position after confronting the director of Pioneer Security Services, Rodney Nand, regarding his unpaid salary.
“All issues related to unpaid wages that have been brought to our attention have been forwarded to the courts,” Mr. Singh stated.
While visiting his family in Lami, Tuidraki expressed his frustration over the delay in receiving his salary, which has hindered his ability to support his family. He shared, “I have six family members relying on me. On Tuesday, I made the last of our rice and eggs for my son’s school lunch.” He noted that he informed his son that it would be his last day at school due to a lack of funds for bus fare.
This incident marks the second time Tuidraki has not received his salary on time. He recounted, “On Monday, I confronted Mr. Nand at the New World Supermarket in Raiwaqa about my payment. Despite working for Pioneer Security Services since July of last year, no contributions have been made to my Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF). Mr. Nand struck me during our confrontation, and in self-defense, I reacted. He then threatened to reduce my pay and terminated my employment immediately.”
Feeling emotional and desperate, Tuidraki filed a complaint with the Ministry of Labour and the FNPF. He expressed the difficulties they now face, stating that he would rather scavenge for food than borrow money. Attempts to contact Mr. Nand for comment went unanswered, as he was not available at his home.