George Goundar, the managing director of Goundar Shipping, recently shared concerns with Members of Parliament regarding the significant delays in immigration processing that are adversely impacting the shipping industry in Fiji. Addressing the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, which is reviewing the Employment Relations (Amendment) Bill, Goundar highlighted the struggles operators are facing in retaining skilled foreign workers due to these bureaucratic hurdles.
During his presentation, Goundar pointed out a troubling scenario where his company was left waiting for three months for the processing of essential immigration files. “It’s sitting in the immigration office while we, the stakeholders, are suffering,” he lamented, illustrating the real impact of these delays on operational efficiency.
He recounted a previous distressing episode involving 32 Filipino workers who had to leave Fiji due to similar permit processing delays. “Last time I had overnight, 32 Filipinos had to leave just because MSAF and immigration did not process their work permits in time,” he noted. Goundar emphasized that in some instances, approvals are only granted after workers have already departed the country, resulting in a chaotic cycle of hiring and losing skilled labor.
Goundar pointed out the absence of a clear legal framework specifically for seafarers, which he believes exacerbates the issue. He noted that the current application of land-based laws to seafarers is inappropriate and called for a dedicated framework to facilitate the hiring of foreign workers in the maritime sector. “There should be an exemption from the government to at least allow a framework so we can get foreign workers to come and work in this industry,” he urged.
The uncertainty surrounding immigration processes, Goundar warned, poses operational risks for shipping companies and is likely to deter skilled foreign seafarers from accepting positions in Fiji. He urged the government to take immediate action to develop a system that would support the maritime sector and help streamline the entry of crucial foreign labor. This call to action reflects a broader need to strengthen the shipping industry’s workforce and ensure its continued growth and efficiency.
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