8 Bangladeshi Migrant Workers Flee in Fiji

Fiji's Employment Minster Agni Deo Singh has warned foreign workers to honour their work contracts or face deportation.

His message follows the case of eight Bangladeshi workers, contracted by CR Engineering Pte Limited in Lautoka, absconded the company without a trace.

The company had reported that five workers left their accommodation at Tavakubu, Lautoka, just three months into their employment, leaving without notice.

Furthermore, four months later, the remaining workers also failed to show up at their designated office at Navutu, Lautoka.

Mr Singh condemned the workers' actions, stressing that such behaviour would not be tolerated.

"If workers have any issues with their employers, they must address them directly. Running away and disappearing will only worsen the situation," Mr Singh said.

"Eventually, you will be found, and if your contract is terminated, the Immigration Department will deport you."

The company has publicly appealed for assistance from the public to help locate the missing workers.

The company has also been working to support their employees, offering skills upgrades after discovering many of the workers lacked the qualifications required for their roles.

"We found that some workers did not have the necessary skills, and there was a language barrier," a company representative explained.

"We arranged for a three-month skills upgrade, but despite our efforts, some o f the workers chose to leave without informing us."

The company, which hired the workers on three-year contracts, has raised concerns that one of the missing workers may be involved in illegal recruitment, possibly bringing others to Fiji to work for different companies under false pretenses.

Mr Singh said workers with grievances should not resort to running away from their employers, but should seek help from the Ministry of Employment.

"If you feel uncomfortable with your employer, come to us. We will assist you in resolving any issues you may have," he said.

Minister for Labour Agni Deo Singh.

The case highlights growing concerns about the welfare of foreign workers in Fiji.

Reports of missing workers and violations of work contracts have raised alarm about the safety and legal standing of overseas employees.

Mr Singh urged employers to ensure fair treatment and encouraged workers to seek assistance before matters escalate.

The Immigration Department, the Ministry of Employment, and the Fiji Police Force are continuing their investigations into the disappearances, with efforts underway to track down the missing workers.

713 permits issued to Bangladeshi's

Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua told Parliament in September that Bangladeshis were issued the highest number of work permits between January and July this year.

Bangladeshis were issued 713 work permits out of the 2009 permits issued this year. Bangladeshis are recruited to work mainly in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

The International Organisation for Migration noted in its report, Migration in the Republic of Fiji: A Country Profile 2020 that the number of Bangladeshis on short and long-term work permits had risen sharply since 2017.

Bangladeshis became the second prominent nationality granted work-related permits in Fiji in 2019.

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