Employers should look after the welfare of their migrant workers - Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commissioners

Employers who bring migrant workers into the country have a clear duty of care, and it's their responsibility to look after the welfare of migrant workers, from food and wages to accommodation and mental health support.

This is the message from the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission while expressing concerns over allegations of serious human rights violations involving 26 Bangladeshi migrant workers employed by a supermarket in the central division.

Commissioner Alefina Vuki says thirteen of these workers have lodged complaints with the Commission against their employer, citing a range of alarming allegations.

She says these include non-compliance with contractual obligations, non-provision of food, denial of medical care, physical abuse, inhumane treatment, and threats of retaliation.

Vuki says according to the complaints received, the workers have not received their wages for an extended period, leaving them without the means to buy food or send remittances to their families in Bangladesh.

She also says many of these workers had secured employment in Fiji by paying around FJ$12,000 each to recruitment agents, often through large loans which they are now unable to repay.

The Commissioner says they have contacted the employer and formally requested the immediate provision of food rations and other essential items to the affected workers.

Vuki says this includes the provision of adequate food, shelter, healthcare, and the protection of the workers’ mental and physical well-being.

She says the Commission has been informed that a faith-based organisation is currently providing food assistance to the workers, who report being forced to live in appalling conditions without necessities such as toiletries.

She further says that some workers have expressed deep psychological distress and depression, with a few stating they feel hopeless due to the severe debt burden and mistreatment—some even mentioning thoughts of self-harm.

The Commissioner adds that disturbingly, the workers allege that they were warned by their employer not to report their situation to the police or the labour tribunal, under threat of imprisonment.

She says they are currently liaising with the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Agni Deo Singh and the Minister for Immigration, Viliame Naupoto and a meeting is scheduled for this week to discuss urgent interventions and the way forward.

The Commissioner is reminding all employers that the responsibility for the welfare of migrant workers lies squarely with them—from food and wages to accommodation and mental health support.

She says at no point should migrant workers become a burden on the Fijian Government or its people.

The Commission will continue to monitor this situation closely and calls on all relevant authorities to act swiftly in the interests of justice and human dignity.