Reliable labour driving demand for Bangladeshi workers

Demand for Bangladeshi workers in Fiji’s construction sector is steadily increasing due to their strong work ethic and reliability, according to a local construction company director.

LSR Investment PTE Limited director Laukesh Raj, who operates civil construction projects across the country, said Bangladeshi workers had proven to be dependable and committed to completing projects on time.

His company is the contractor for the upgrade of the Vunika Informal Settlement in Labasa, a project awarded by the Ministry of Housing.

Mr Raj said he currently employs 18 Bangladeshi workers in specialised roles, including truck drivers, mechanics, carpenters and joiners. Three of them are presently based at the Vunika site.

He said their reliability gave him confidence that the project would be completed within the 18-month timeframe.

Originally from Bocalevu in Labasa, Mr Raj said while some local workers displayed strong work ethics, others struggled with absenteeism, which often affected construction schedules.

“Some locals are reliable and hardworking, but others have absenteeism issues and other problems that slow down project completion,” he said.

To address labour shortages and meet strict deadlines, Mr Raj said he turned to Bangladeshi workers, describing them as hardworking and committed.

“These workers want to work hard for every dollar because they need to support their families back home,” he said.

Mr Raj said he had been recruiting Bangladeshi workers for nearly four years, adding that their consistency had contributed to the sustainability of his business.

He also said the workers were paid above the minimum wage, due to their specialised skills.

“I pay more than $6.50 per hour because they are working in vital roles within the company,” he said.

Mr Raj said overseas workers were provided with proper accommodation, and their welfare and safety were prioritised. He condemned instances where foreign workers were allegedly mistreated by some employers.

Despite employing foreign labour, Mr Raj said his company continued to hire local workers, including residents from the Vunika community with trade qualifications and relevant experience.

Worker satisfied

One of the Bangladeshi workers, Mohammed Atik, said he was satisfied with his working conditions in Fiji.

“We have no problems here. Our employer has taken good care of us,” he said.

Originally from Dhaka, Mr Atik said he had been working in Fiji for two years and hoped to continue working with the same employer.

Call to Immigration

Mr Raj also called on the Ministry of Immigration to consider fast-tracking work visas for Bangladeshi workers with good character and proven work records, particularly as demand increases.