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 reported that since 2021, a total of 165 labor complaints have been lodged by migrant workers. Out of these complaints, 159 have been resolved, while four are still pending before the Employment Relations Tribunal and two are currently under investigation.
Singh noted that these migrant workers are distributed across several sectors: 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 standards.
To address labor issues, the government has conducted awareness sessions and workplace inspections across the nation. Additionally, Singh revealed plans to enhance protections for migrant workers by revising essential legislation. This includes extending coverage to foreign or migrant workers, particularly seafarers, who are currently not included in existing laws. The government is also reviewing the Immigration Act to strengthen the work permit process and is working on a national labor mobility policy framework in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Parliamentary discussions also highlighted concerns about the skill levels of some foreign workers entering the country. The Minister responded by acknowledging that there have been instances where employers were unhappy with the skills of workers provided by agents, despite the qualifications presented. Singh indicated that this mismatch in expectations often leads to workers being redeployed and subsequently complaining about reduced wages. Some cases have even reached the Human Rights Commission, prompting the government to engage with employment agents to verify the authenticity of the certificates presented by workers. The government is encouraging employers to work directly with the relevant agencies in labor-sending countries to ensure better outcomes.
Furthermore, Singh reiterated the government’s resolve to promote decent and sustainable labor practices, underscoring ongoing efforts to create a safe and supportive work environment for all individuals, in alignment with Fiji’s productivity objectives.