Commission investigates complaints of alleged human rights violations received from Bangladeshis working for a construction company

Commission investigates complaints of alleged human rights violations received from Bangladeshis working for a construction company

By Vijay Narayan
12/03/2021
[Image: Supplied]

The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission is continuing it’s investigations after complaints of alleged human rights violations received from Bangladeshi nationals working for a construction company.

Director, Ashwin Raj says these workers were brought in by the same local recruiter who also recruited foreign nationals for at least four other companies in Fiji.

Raj says the allegations of human rights violations include workers not given copies of contracts; no internal mechanisms to raise grievances and when they raise grievances, they are suspended without pay; the workers are made to work on public holidays and Sundays without being paid double time; irregularities in payment of salary (for instance payslip states $10/hr but the actual payment was $45 for 8 hours of work in a day; no provision of sick sheet in 2020 and the workers do not get paid when they are on sick leave; the management advised the workers that they will not accept sick sheets and if they are sick then they can stay home but without being paid.

Raj says it is claimed these workers also paid FJD$13,000 through the local recruiter to come to Fiji and two of the workers want to return home but have been advised by the company HR to pay for their own tickets.

He says the workers cannot afford a ticket to go back home.

Raj says it is alleged that the local recruiter dictates terms to all the companies where he has recruited workers from Bangladesh.

He says when companies recruit foreign nationals, they must ensure that the conditions are consistent with human dignity and there is respect for human rights.

The Commission is investigating the complaint and has informed both the Department of Immigration and the Anti-Trafficking Unit of the Fiji Police Force regarding the allegations.

The workers have also filed their grievances with the Ministry of Employment.

FEATURE NEWS
State meets Malimali’s legal team as $2 million claim and apology demands surface
Sacked FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali’s legal counsel, Tanya Waqanika met with Solicitor General, Ropate Green’s team this morning as the S...
57 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Over 1,000 jobs and $160 million for small business in economic plan - Kamikamica
The Government is taking bold steps to create jobs, support small businesses, reduce poverty, make it easier for ordinary Fijians to start ...
28 minutes ago

Govt spending over $2 million of taxpayers’ funds on COI report yet fails to appoint individuals to key positions - Kirpal
Opposition MP, Sanjay Kirpal has called out the Coalition Government for spending more than $2 million of taxpayers' funds on Commission of Inquiry ...
29 minutes ago

100 men trained as male advocates to promote gender equality and end violence
One hundred men from Rewa and Cakaudrove have completed the Male Advocacy for Women’s Human Rights training conducted by the Fiji Women’s Crisis ...
2 hours ago

Trump announces new plan to settle war in Ukraine, gives Russia a 50-day deadline
United States President Donald Trump has laid out a pair of steps intended to pressure Russia to end its war in Ukraine, including funneling new ...
2 hours ago

Vunimono High wins U17 title as Rishal Shankar scores hat-trick in Rewa Secondary Schools Football final
Vunimono High School has claimed the Boys Under-17 title in the Rewa Secondary Schools Football Association competition after a dominant 3-0 win ...
2 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
6 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
8 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
11 days ago

TOP