Employment ministry uncovers over 250 migrant exploitation cases

Fiji's Ministry of Employment investigated more than 250 reports of migrant worker exploitation in just the last three to five years. 

Director of Labour Standards, Daniel Tagivakatini, revealed that workers, particularly from Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines, often signed contracts that differed from what they initially agreed to or could not read.

"Some of them couldn't understand English, and that created a vulnerability when they came in and signed a contract without knowing what it was," he said.

To fill labour shortages, Fiji has welcomed foreign workers from places like Bangladesh and India, but many have faced exploitation at the hands of local employers. 

Mr Tagivakatini said the Ministry often intervened and repatriated workers to their home countries when their employers refused, in addition to other efforts to provide support. 

"That's why we work closely with Immigration in terms of facilitating their repatriation and strengthening our coordination with them," he explained, adding that they hope to reinforce that partnership in the future.

"That's all we can do for now, given our limited resources," Mr Tagivakatini stated.

"Working together, piggybacking on other agencies' processes, makes our work easier and more efficient."

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