The government has successfully recovered over $54,000 in unpaid wages for migrant workers. In a statement to Parliament today, Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh reported that since 2021, a total of 165 labor complaints have been filed by migrant workers. Out of these, 159 cases have been resolved, four are pending with the Employment Relations Tribunal, and two are still under investigation.
Singh noted that these migrant workers are employed in various 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, by rigorously enforcing minimum labor standards.
To address labor-related issues, awareness sessions and workplace inspections have been carried out across the nation. Plans are underway to further protect migrant workers through legislative revisions. “The government is currently reviewing legislation, including extending coverage for foreign or migrant workers, especially seafarers, who currently lack protection under existing laws. The Immigration Act is also under review to enhance the work permit process, alongside the development of a national labor mobility policy framework in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM),” Singh explained.
During the parliamentary session, concerns were raised about the skill levels of some foreign workers entering the country. The Minister acknowledged that there have been instances where employers were unhappy with the skills of workers supplied by agents, even when those workers had certificates indicating qualifications.
Singh addressed the issue, confirming that employers have expressed dissatisfaction when the skills of workers did not meet expectations. He noted, “Employers are concerned when the skills they anticipate are missing, leading them to redeploy workers, who then complain about reduced wages. Some cases have even gone to the Human Rights Commission. We are addressing this by working closely with agents to verify the authenticity of qualifications. We encourage employers to engage directly with government agencies in labor-sending countries to assure proper skill matching.”
The Minister reiterated the government’s dedication to promoting decent and sustainable labor practices, emphasizing ongoing efforts to cultivate a safe and supportive work environment in accordance with Fiji’s productivity objectives.