The Fiji Tourism Workers Union has voiced strong concerns regarding a bus accident involving hotel staff in Denarau, Nadi, which occurred this morning. Union Employee Relations Consultant Sailesh Naidu emphasized that this incident brings attention to the unsafe and poor transportation conditions many hotel workers across Fiji endure daily.
According to Naidu, members have reported that vehicles provided by hotels for employee transport are often poorly maintained, overcrowded, and not roadworthy, putting workers’ lives at risk. He urged that immediate corrective measures must be taken by employers and authorities to ensure that all worker transport adheres to national road safety and occupational health standards.
In addition, the union has received troubling reports that some hotel employees are being compelled to pay for transportation services provided by their employers, especially those working in remote areas or during early morning and late-night shifts when public transport options are limited. Such deductions, Naidu pointed out, are unlawful and constitute a breach of the Employment Relations Act, specifically citing that no unauthorized deductions should be made from a worker’s wages.
Stressing that workers should not have to bear the costs of getting to work when their shifts are determined by their employers, the union has called for urgent inspections by the Ministry of Employment and Land Transport Authority to evaluate the safety of all transport arrangements in the tourism sector. Furthermore, the union demands that hotel employers stop the illegal deductions for transport and reimburse affected employees, advocating for the adoption and enforcement of minimum safety and welfare standards that comply with occupational health and safety laws.
This accident aligns with wider issues of worker safety in Fiji’s tourism industry, seen in previous reports highlighting the exploitative practices faced by hospitality workers. Similar to the situation that emerged at an international resort on the Coral Coast, where employees faced scrutiny and rights violations, the current incident reinforces the urgent need for aligning transportation practices with safety regulations.
While these issues are concerning, they also pave the way for necessary dialogue between employers and employees, ultimately fostering a safer and more equitable work environment in the hospitality sector. The push for improved safety conditions not only aims to protect workers but could also enhance productivity and service quality within the industry as a whole.
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