The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has initiated an investigation into the working conditions and challenges faced by Fijians who go abroad for employment under various schemes. This decision follows the tragic death of a 24-year-old Fijian woman who was working in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Visa 403 scheme.
Commission chair Pravesh Sharma stated that the circumstances surrounding the deceased migrant worker’s working conditions, which have been widely reported, need thorough investigation by the relevant authorities. He mentioned that the Commission has reached out to the Ministry of Employment, Productivity & Industrial Relations to gather information regarding the worker’s death, as the Ministry facilitates the migrant worker program.
Sharma emphasized that the investigation will involve cooperation with both Fijian and Australian authorities. He highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers globally, including long working hours, low wages, unsafe working and living conditions, a lack of healthcare access, and potential exposure to physical and verbal abuse, as well as discrimination.
He stressed the importance of migrant workers having the right to form and join labor unions and raised concerns about the monitoring of conditions experienced by Pacific migrant workers. Sharma questioned the existing mechanisms for these workers to report incidents of violence and exploitation.
He reiterated that all migrant workers are entitled to protection from any form of torture or inhumane treatment. In 2019, Fiji ratified the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Sharma concluded by stating that while Fiji is committed to safeguarding the rights of migrant workers within its borders, it also seeks to ensure the rights of Fijian workers abroad are equally protected.