The government has successfully recovered over $54,000 in unpaid wages for migrant workers. During a parliamentary session, Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh reported that since 2021, a total of 165 labor complaints have been filed by migrant workers. Out of these complaints, 159 cases have been resolved, four are currently pending before the Employment Relations Tribunal, and two remain under investigation.
Singh noted that these workers are engaged in various sectors, with 46 employed 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, the government has conducted awareness sessions and workplace inspections across the country. Additionally, Singh outlined plans to enhance protections for migrant workers by revising key legislation. The government is undertaking a review of the current laws, which includes expanding coverage for foreign or migrant workers, especially seafarers who are currently not included. The review will also focus on improving the work permit process and developing a national labor mobility policy framework in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Concerns were raised in Parliament about the skill levels of some foreign workers entering the country. The Minister acknowledged discrepancies between the qualifications of workers as indicated by their certificates and the actual skills they possess, leading to dissatisfaction among employers. Singh explained that employers have faced challenges when the skills of workers do not meet their expectations, resulting in redeployment and complaints from the workers about lower wages. Some of these issues have been referred to the Human Rights Commission for resolution.
To address these skill mismatches, Singh mentioned efforts to ensure that the certificates held by workers are authentic. The government is collaborating with labor-sending countries, encouraging employers to work directly with the respective agencies responsible for labor mobility in those countries.
Singh reaffirmed the government’s dedication to promoting decent and sustainable labor practices, with ongoing initiatives aimed at cultivating a safe and supportive work environment for all workers in alignment with Fiji’s productivity objectives.