Recruiter urges stricter labour oversight

A private recruiter has called for tighter oversight of migrant labour agencies as Fiji grapples with growing skills shortages, while the Government maintains that developing the local workforce remains a priority.

Anchor Care Migration and Recruitment chairman Mohammed Masudur Rahman made the call during the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry symposium at Tanoa Skylodge Hotel in Nadi last Friday.

Mr Rahman said accredited and licensed agencies could help ease pressure on Government, employers and regulators by ensuring compliance.

“We can reduce the pressure on the Government. We can reduce the pressure on employers. We can help mitigate legal and labour issues,” he said.

He said Fiji’s skills gap required urgent policy intervention.

“When there is a burning issue, policy has to be structured before it gets worse.”

Mr Rahman said overseas workers should be used to fill immediate shortages while helping train local workers for long-term sustainability.

“Our intention is not for Fiji to rely on overseas workers in the long run. They can fill the immediate gap, but skilled workers can also help train local Fijians so Fiji can build a sustainable workforce,” he said.

He warned that unaccredited agencies posed risks to migrant workers, including exploitation and misinformation.

“Only accredited companies should be allowed to bring in workers. When unlicensed agencies operate, workers can be exploited, misinformed and left trapped,” he said.

Mr Rahman proposed a government-endorsed system requiring all expatriate recruitment agencies to be accredited, registered and licensed before operating.

He said Bangladesh, one of the world’s largest labour markets, could help meet Fiji’s immediate workforce needs.

Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh said Anchor Care was among reputable agencies operating in Fiji.

“We haven’t received any serious complaints so far about workers they have recruited for employers here,” Mr Singh said.

He said the ministry supported legitimate agencies while ensuring migrant workers received equal legal protections and minimum standards as local workers.

“Our law requires there to be no discrimination in the treatment of local and migrant workers. It has to be exactly the same,” he said.

Mr Singh said hiring foreign workers was necessary to address labour shortages but would not undermine local employment opportunities.

“They are not cheap labour. Minimum wage laws and wages council standards apply to all workers,” he said.

He said the Government had expanded technical and vocational education to strengthen the local workforce.

“We have reopened technical colleges, expanded apprenticeships and increased scholarships to train more Fijians to fill workforce gaps,” he said.

Mr Singh said organisations including Pacific Polytech, Fiji National University, the University of the South Pacific and Montfort Boys Town were supporting workforce training across urban and rural communities.

“We are doing our level best to train people here to fill the gaps left by those who migrate,” he said.