Is Fiji doing enough to tackle human trafficking?
US Report highlights sex trafficking of Fijian women and children

Is Fiji doing enough to tackle human trafficking?

US Report highlights sex trafficking of Fijian women and children

By Vijay Narayan
Wednesday 17/07/2024

Serious questions are being asked on whether we as a country are doing enough to combat human trafficking as the US State Department Trafficking in Persons Fiji 2024 report says as reported over the past five years, human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Fiji, and traffickers exploit victims from Fiji abroad.

The report highlights that about 20 percent of respondents to a 2023 prevalence study identified either experiencing themselves or knowing someone who experienced trafficking indicators in the hospitality, retail, wholesale, food service, vehicle maintenance, storage, transportation, construction, agriculture, fisheries, or forestry sectors.

It reveals that traffickers, including family members, taxi drivers, foreign tourists, businessmen, crew members on foreign fishing vessels, and other traffickers exploit foreign victims, including from Thailand and China, as well as Fijian women and children in sex trafficking.

The US State Department report says traffickers exploit victims in commercial sex establishments, hotels, private homes, and massage parlors, and sometimes utilize websites and cell phone applications to facilitate the exploitation of sex trafficking victims.

Traffickers exploit Fijian and Chinese national women and children in Chinese national-operated massage parlors and commercial sex establishments, particularly in Suva.

It further says in some cases, massage parlor owners arrange for female Fijian employees to engage in commercial sex acts with clients in hotels or commercial sex establishments.

The report says some Fijian children are at risk of sex and labour trafficking as families follow a traditional practice of sending them to live with relatives or families in larger cities, where they may be exploited in domestic servitude or sex trafficking in exchange for food, clothing, shelter, or school fees.

Foreign yacht owners and foreigners hiring locally owned yachts dock in rural Fijian islands and seek young women, usually children, for marriage; some of these women and children subsequently become exploited in forced labour or sex trafficking.

Children as young as 12 were exploited in sex trafficking, sometimes by family members to purchase food and other essentials for their families.

Some Fijian men also reportedly marry women from Nepal and Pakistan and exploit them in domestic servitude in Fiji.

It has been revealed that labour traffickers exploit workers from South and East Asian countries, including Bangladesh and India, in small, informal farms and factories, as well as in the construction and timber sectors.

The US State Department report adds that Chinese nationals may have been forced to work in Fiji at projects run by Chinese-affiliated companies.

FEATURE NEWS
FMA wants full investigation regarding Dr Singh’s dismissal from Fiji Corrections and appointment of Commissioner’s wife
The Fiji Medical Association has raised serious concerns about the alleged conflict of interest by the Commissioner of Corrections, Doctor Jalesi Naka...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Another govt vehicle involved in accident
Another government vehicle has been involved in an accident - this time the driver hit an electric pole along Waimanu Road, close to Saint Joseph's ...
2 hours ago

FWRM raises concerns over transparency, gender protections, and accountability during public consultation
The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement has raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and gender protections in its submission during public ...
4 hours ago

Some parts of Suva flooded due to heavy rain
Some parts of Suva are currently flooded due to sudden heavy rain. The Raiwaqa Police Station has confirmed that roads in Milverton, Nailuva, and ...
5 hours ago

Human Rights Commission records 380 complaints in 2024
The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission received 380 complaints in 2024, highlighting a broad spectrum of human rights concerns ...
5 hours ago

Police officers questioned in investigation into death of Richard Mock
Police officers on duty at the Namaka Police Station during the time of arrest of the late Richard Mock have been questioned via Video Recording ...
5 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Health Minister Dr Lalabalavu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Health Minister, Doctor Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
2 days ago

PM Rabuka on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan. The in-depth interview will focus on many issues facing the ...
6 days ago

Perth 7s 2025
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side finished in 5th place at the HSBC Perth 7s after defeating France 17-5 in the 5th place ...
7 days ago

TOP