Fiji records 4000 foreign worker applications in three months

Fiji continues to experience a steady influx of foreign workers, with about 4000 new applications submitted by companies seeking to employ overseas labourers over the past three months.

Minister for Immigration Viliame Naupoto said while the ministry does not have specific data on the number of Fijians leaving the country for overseas employment opportunities, there remained significant demand among local businesses to recruit workers from abroad.

“I do not have the specific data of Fijians moving across and those who are coming in,” Mr Naupoto said.

“But I can say that we still have applications from companies that are wanting to employ foreign workers. So, we still have an inflow of foreign workers coming in.”

Figures received by the ministry for March, April and May showed approximately 4000 new applications from companies seeking approval to bring foreign workers into Fiji.

The figures indicate that despite ongoing concerns surrounding labour shortages in various sectors, employers continue to rely heavily on overseas recruitment to fill workforce gaps.

However, the growing number of foreign workers entering the country has also renewed discussions surrounding their welfare and working conditions.

Foreign workers in Fiji have, over the years, raised concerns about accommodation standards, wages and overall treatment by employers.

Responding to questions regarding what safeguards are in place to protect foreign workers before work permits are issued, Mr Naupoto said the ministry requires employers to meet several conditions as part of the application process.

Mr Naupoto stressed that compliance with Fiji’s minimum wage requirements remains a key prerequisite before the ministry grants work permits to foreign nationals.

The responsibility for addressing workplace grievances and employment-related disputes falls largely under the purview of the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations.

At the same time, Fiji continues to witness outward migration, with many skilled Fijians seeking employment opportunities overseas.

However, the absence of updated official data on the scale of this movement makes it difficult to accurately assess the balance between incoming foreign workers and outgoing local talent.