The government has successfully recovered over $54,000 in unpaid wages owed to migrant workers. During a session in Parliament, Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh announced that since 2021, there have been 165 labor complaints lodged by migrant workers.
Out of these complaints, 159 have been resolved, while four are currently pending before the Employment Relations Tribunal, and two remain under investigation. The Employment Minister noted that these migrant workers are employed in various sectors, with 46 in wholesale and retail, 121 in construction, nine in the informal sector, seven in manufacturing, and two in the hotel and catering industry.
Singh emphasized the government’s dedication to ensuring fair treatment for all workers in Fiji, including foreign laborers, by rigorously enforcing minimum standards. To address labor concerns, awareness sessions and workplace inspections have been conducted across the nation.
He also mentioned that measures are underway to better protect migrant workers through legislative revisions. “The government is reviewing legislation to extend coverage for foreign or migrant workers, particularly seafarers, who currently lack protection under existing laws. Additionally, the Immigration Act is under review to enhance the work permit process, alongside the development of a national labor mobility policy in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM),” Singh stated.
Concerns were raised in Parliament about the skill levels of some foreign workers entering the country. The Minister recognized cases where employers expressed dissatisfaction with the skills of workers provided by recruitment agents, even when these workers had relevant certificates.
Addressing these employer concerns, Singh acknowledged complaints regarding mismatched skills and affirmed that some workers’ qualifications did not meet employers’ requirements. “Employers are unhappy as the anticipated skills are not present. This leads to redeployment, which often results in reduced wages for the workers. Some of these cases have escalated to the Human Rights Commission. We are now engaged with recruitment agents to verify the authenticity of the certificates. We are also encouraging employers to work directly with labor-sending countries’ government agencies,” he explained.
Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering decent, sustainable labor practices, focusing on creating a safe and supportive working environment in alignment with Fiji’s productivity goals.