The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has initiated an investigation into the working conditions, alleged exploitation, violence, and various issues faced by Fijians who travel abroad for work under different schemes. This action follows the tragic death of a 24-year-old Fijian female migrant worker who went to Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Visa 403 scheme.
Commission chair Pravesh Sharma stated that the circumstances surrounding the worker’s death, as reported, must be thoroughly investigated by the relevant authorities. The Commission has formally reached out to the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations for information since it facilitates the migrant worker program.
Sharma emphasized that the investigation will involve coordination with both Fijian and Australian authorities. He highlighted the vulnerability of migrant workers globally, who often endure long hours, low pay, unsafe working conditions, and lack access to healthcare and legal assistance. Some workers face physical and verbal abuse, as well as racial discrimination.
He underscored the importance of workers having the freedom to associate and the right to join labor unions. Sharma raised critical questions about who monitors the living conditions of Pacific migrant workers and whether there are mechanisms for them to report allegations of violence and exploitation.
All migrant workers, as he stated, are entitled to be free from any form of torture, whether physical, mental, or emotional, and from cruel or degrading treatment. In 2019, Fiji ratified the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, and Sharma reiterated the commitment to protect the rights of Fijian migrant workers both domestically and internationally.