The Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Workplace Relations in Fiji has launched an investigation into the unfortunate drowning of a 50-year-old Japanese tourist at the Fiji Hideaway Resort in Sigatoka earlier this month. The incident, which took place around 8:00 am on November 4, has raised concerns about the resort’s safety measures in place for guests.
Preliminary findings from the investigation indicate that there may be a need to evaluate the adequacy of the resort’s safety systems, including the management of guest activities, as well as procedures for supervision, rescue, and emergency evacuations. In collaboration with local authorities, the National Occupational Health and Safety Services is working to collect medical and autopsy reports from the Fiji Police Force to aid in their inquiry.
Minister of Employment Agni Deo Singh emphasized the importance of the resort identifying potential safety hazards and implementing effective control strategies to mitigate the risk of similar incidents occurring in the future. He stated, “The hotel management must adequately identify all potential hazards and implement appropriate control strategies to prevent similar incidents in the future.” A comprehensive report will be produced once the investigation is finalized.
In addition to addressing this tragic incident, the National Occupational Health and Safety Services routinely conducts inspections across various workplaces, including resorts, to ensure compliance with safety regulations and take necessary enforcement actions when violations are found.
This investigation highlights a critical aspect of tourism safety, an area that can be enhanced in response to this incident. It serves as a reminder for all resorts and hospitality providers about the importance of maintaining the highest safety standards to protect their guests.
Summary: The Ministry of Employment in Fiji is investigating the drowning of a Japanese tourist at the Fiji Hideaway Resort. The inquiry will assess the safety measures in place at the resort and aims to identify potential hazards and improve safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. The investigation follows the collaboration with local authorities to gather crucial reports and reinforces the ongoing importance of safety inspections in the tourism sector.
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