The government has secured the recovery of over $54,000 in unpaid wages owed to migrant workers. During a parliamentary session today, Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh revealed that since 2021, a total of 165 labor complaints have been filed by migrant workers.
Of these complaints, 159 have been successfully resolved, four cases are pending with the Employment Relations Tribunal, and two remain under investigation. Singh noted that these workers are spread across various industries, including 46 in wholesale and retail, 121 in construction, nine in the informal sector, seven in manufacturing, and two in the hotel and catering sector.
The government is dedicated to ensuring fair treatment for all workers in Fiji, including foreign laborers, through strict enforcement of minimum labor standards. To address labor-related concerns, awareness sessions and workplace inspections have been organized nationwide.
Singh also announced plans to enhance protections for migrant workers by revising important legislation. “The government is currently reviewing existing laws, which includes extending coverage to foreign or migrant workers, especially seafarers who currently lack protection under existing legislation. Additionally, we are evaluating the Immigration Act to improve the work permit process, alongside the development of a national labor mobility policy framework in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM),” he stated.
In Parliament, concerns were raised about the skill levels of some foreign workers entering the country. The Minister acknowledged that there have been cases where employers expressed dissatisfaction with the skills of workers provided by agents, despite their qualifications appearing valid.
Addressing these concerns, Singh explained that employers have reported issues with mismatched skills resulting in complaints when workers with inadequate qualifications are deployed. “Employers are unhappy as the expected skills are not present. Consequently, they redeploy workers, which can lead to complaints from those workers about reduced wages. Some cases have escalated to the Human Rights Commission, and we are currently addressing these matters with the agents to verify the authenticity of the certificates provided. We are encouraging employers to engage directly with the labor-sending countries’ government agencies responsible for labor mobility,” he added.
Lastly, Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting decent and sustainable labor practices, emphasizing ongoing efforts to cultivate a safe and supportive working environment that aligns with Fiji’s productivity objectives.