The government has successfully recovered over $54,000 in unpaid wages owed to migrant workers. During a parliamentary session today, Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh reported that since 2021, a total of 165 labor complaints have been filed by migrant workers. Out of these, 159 cases have been resolved, four remain pending before the Employment Relations Tribunal, and two are still under investigation.
Singh noted that these migrant workers are employed across various sectors, with 46 in wholesale and retail, 121 in construction, nine in the informal sector, seven in manufacturing, and two in the hotel and catering industry. He emphasized that the government is dedicated to ensuring fair treatment for all workers in Fiji, including foreign laborers, by enforcing minimum labor standards.
To address labor concerns, awareness sessions and workplace inspections have been conducted nationwide. Singh also mentioned forthcoming plans to enhance protections for migrant workers by revising essential legislation.
“The government is currently conducting a review of the legislation, which will extend coverage to foreign or migrant workers, especially seafarers, who are not included under the current laws. Additionally, the government is reviewing the Immigration Act to enhance the work permit process and is developing a national labor mobility policy in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM),” he stated.
Concerns were raised in Parliament regarding the skill levels of some foreign workers entering Fiji. Singh acknowledged that employers had reported dissatisfaction with the qualifications of workers provided by agents, despite the certificates they held. He explained, “Employers are unhappy because the skills they expected are not present in the workers. When they redeploy these workers, the latter often complain about reduced wages. Some of these cases have been referred to the Human Rights Commission, and we are addressing them with the agents to ensure the authenticity of the certificates.”
Furthermore, Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting decent and sustainable labor practices, emphasizing ongoing efforts to create a safe and supportive working environment for all, in alignment with Fiji’s productivity goals.