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 revealed that since 2021, a total of 165 labor complaints have been filed by migrant workers. Of these cases, 159 have been resolved, while four are currently before the Employment Relations Tribunal, and two are still under investigation.
Singh noted that migrants are employed in various sectors, 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 commitment to ensuring fair treatment for all workers in Fiji, including foreign laborers, through strict enforcement of minimum labor standards. To address labor issues, awareness sessions and workplace inspections have been conducted across the country.
Additionally, Singh announced plans to enhance protections for migrant workers by revising important legislation. The government is reviewing laws to expand coverage for foreign or migrant workers, particularly seafarers, who currently lack legal protections. This review will also include amendments to the Immigration Act to improve the work permit process and the development of a national labor mobility policy framework in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Concerns were raised in Parliament about the skill levels of some foreign workers. Minister Singh acknowledged that employers have expressed dissatisfaction with the qualifications of workers supplied by recruitment agents, despite certificates that suggest otherwise. He stated that employers have faced challenges when the skills of workers do not meet expectations. Consequently, some workers have been redeployed, leading to complaints about reduced wages; these cases have also been referred to the Human Rights Commission.
To address these issues, Singh emphasized the importance of ensuring that the certificates presented by workers are authentic. He noted that labor-sending countries have government agencies dedicated to labor mobility, and the government encourages employers to engage directly with these agencies. Singh reiterated the government’s dedication to fostering decent and sustainable labor practices, emphasizing ongoing initiatives to create a safe and supportive working environment as part of Fiji’s productivity goals.