165 complaints from migrant workers received by Employment Ministry

165 complaints from migrant workers have been received by the Ministry for Employment since 2021, where 159 cases have been resolved, four are still pending with the Employment Relations Tribunal, and two are under investigation.

Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh says amongst these 165 migrant workers, 46 were employed in the wholesale and retail industry, 121 in building, construction, and civil engineering, nine in the informal sector, seven in the manufacturing industry, and two in the hotel and catering industry.

This is after a question raised in parliament by government backbencher, Kalaveti Ravu on the working conditions of foreign workers in Fiji.

Singh says the ministry has recovered a total of $54,337.34 as arrears of wages for these migrant workers.

He says to enhance the welfare of migrant workers working and contributing to the region's economy, the coalition government is currently undertaking a review of legislation.

The Minister adds this review includes the extension of coverage of foreign or migrant workers, particularly seafarers who are not covered under the current legislation.

He says the government is also reviewing the Immigration Act to strengthen the work permit process and also the development of the Fiji National Labour Mobility Policy Framework and Strategy in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration or IOM.

He further says the coalition government, through his ministry, is dedicated to ensuring decent, sustainable, and fair labour practices, promoting a supportive work environment for everyone, which enhances overall productivity and well-being.

When questioned by Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya on maintaining the standard of workers, Singh says there have been occasions where they have received complaints from employers that the skills level do not match the certificates that have been forwarded to them by agents before recruitment, and this creates a number of problems.

He says those who have been referred to them have ended up with the Human Rights Commission.

The Minister also highlighted that when they receive complaints, they attend to them immediately.