Companies that are not paying employees’ wages are being taken to court, according to the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Agni Deo Singh.
Minister Singh addressed questions regarding complaints from former and current workers of a security firm based in Suva during a recent statement.
One of the affected individuals, 45-year-old Meli Tamani Tuidraki, who previously worked as a security officer, lost his job after confronting the director of Pioneer Security Services, Rodney Nand, about his unpaid salary.
“All issues concerning unpaid salaries that have been reported to us are now in the court system,” Singh confirmed.
During a visit to his family home in Lami, Tuidraki expressed his frustration over the delayed payments, which have left him unable to support his family. “I have six family members relying on me every day. On Tuesday, I prepared the last meal of rice and eggs for my son to take to school,” Tuidraki recounted. “I told him that Tuesday was the last day he would be going to school since I cannot afford his bus fare.”
This incident marks the second occasion that Tuidraki’s monthly salary went unpaid. He explained that he confronted Nand at New World Supermarket in the Damodar complex about the situation. “I’ve been employed by Pioneer Security Services since July of last year, yet there have been no deductions made to my Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) contributions. He struck first, removing my hat, and I acted in self-defense. He then threatened to reduce my pay and terminated my employment immediately.”
Feeling distressed and desperate, Tuidraki reported his situation to the Ministry of Labour, the FNPF, and the media outlet. He mentioned that borrowing money is not a viable option, and he will have to find whatever he can to feed his family. Attempts to reach Mr. Nand were unsuccessful, as he was not at home, and calls and messages went unanswered.