Since 2021, the Ministry of Employment has received 165 complaints from migrant workers, resolving 159 of those cases, while two remain under investigation and four are pending with the Employment Relations Tribunal.
Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh made this announcement in Parliament in response to a question from Kalaveti Ravu concerning the working conditions of foreign workers in Fiji.
Mr. Singh highlighted that the Ministry has recovered $154,337.34 in unpaid wages for migrant workers, adding that the Government is conducting a review aimed at extending protections for foreign or migrant workers, especially seafarers.
He mentioned the development of a national labor mobility policy framework and strategy in partnership with the International Organization for Migration.
Furthermore, Mr. Singh explained that the Government is reviewing the Immigration Act to enhance the work permit process, committing to uphold decent and fair labor practices.
He acknowledged concerns raised by employers, noting that the skill levels of workers do not always align with the qualifications provided by their recruitment agents.
Employers have expressed dissatisfaction that the skills they anticipated are often absent, leading to redeployment of workers, who then complain about lower wages. Some cases have been escalated to the Human Rights Commission, and the Ministry is working with agents to verify the authenticity of the certificates presented by workers.
Mr. Singh stated that such complaints are promptly addressed by the Ministry.