The Bangladeshi workers employed at Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh’s farm in Waiqele, Labasa now have received their annual due leave.
The Acting Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Atish Kumar confirmed this and stated that the Ministry has followed all due processes under the Employment Relations law in settling the matter.
Kumar says the Ministry's compliance team conducted investigations at the worksite and received confirmation from the workers that they have been paid $5.50 an hour which is above the minimum wage rate.
The Acting Permanent Secretary says the Ministry was also advised by the management that the farm hands had worked during their annual leave and were compensated at the normal rate of $5.50 an hour.
He says the management was then advised that annual leave dues had to be paid separately.
Kumar further says that the management paid the dues accordingly as soon as they were advised and ministry noted that it was paid in due course.
He further says that the management is in compliance with other minimum standards.
