The government has successfully recovered over $54,000 in unpaid wages owed to migrant workers. During a recent parliamentary session, Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh reported that since 2021, a total of 165 labor complaints have been filed by migrant workers. Of those cases, 159 have been resolved, while four cases are currently pending before the Employment Relations Tribunal, and two remain under investigation.
Singh noted that these workers are found in 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 industry. He emphasized the government’s dedication to ensuring equitable treatment for all workers in Fiji, including foreign laborers, through stringent enforcement of minimum labor standards.
To address labor issues, the government has conducted awareness sessions and workplace inspections across the nation. Singh outlined plans to enhance protections for migrant workers by revising essential legislation. “The government is in the process of reviewing current laws. This includes expanding protections for foreign or migrant workers, especially seafarers, who are not presently covered under existing laws. Additionally, the Immigration Act is being reviewed to improve the work permit process, and the government is developing a national labor mobility policy framework and strategy in partnership with the International Organization for Migration,” he stated.
Concerns were also voiced in Parliament regarding the skill levels of some foreign workers entering the country. The Minister recognized instances where employers were dissatisfied with the skills of workers provided by recruitment agents, despite qualifications that suggested otherwise. Singh acknowledged that this mismatch often led to complaints from both employers and workers. He mentioned that unhappy employers frequently redeploy workers, which resulted in complaints about reduced wages, with some cases being referred to the Human Rights Commission.
To address these issues, Singh highlighted the importance of ensuring that the qualifications brought by workers are authentic. He encouraged employers to collaborate directly with official labor mobility agencies in the workers’ home countries to mitigate these issues. Furthermore, Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting decent and sustainable labor practices, emphasizing ongoing initiatives aimed at fostering a safe and supportive workplace for all in alignment with Fiji’s productivity objectives.