Sugar industry eyes migrant labour

The Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC) is exploring the use of migrant workers to address a growing labour shortage in Fiji’s sugar industry.

Chief executive officer Vimal Dutt told the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs today that growers were struggling to find enough workers to harvest and transport cane each season.

The council is in discussions with the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Immigration on the possibility of bringing in migrant workers to address a worsening labour shortage threatening the country's sugarcane harvest.

“There is a demand and there is a need. We are pursuing the matter with the Ministry of Labour and Immigration on how we can proceed because the industry needs that expertise in terms of consistent labour,” Mr Dutt said.

Sugarcane harvesting in Fiji relies on two methods — mechanical harvesters and manual cane cutting by hired labourers. Both are facing increasing pressure.

Higher global fuel costs have increased operating expenses for harvesters, while fewer people are willing to undertake the physically demanding work of cutting cane by hand.

Mr Dutt said that for a migrant labour scheme to be sustainable, growers would need a year-round income model to support full-time workers.

The council is promoting mixed and diversified farming, encouraging growers to plant other crops alongside cane to generate a more consistent income throughout the year.

Committee chairperson Sakiusa Tubuna supported diversification, saying farmers in Ba and Nadi had shown strong interest in cowpea farming, which could earn a farmer cultivating a quarter-acre up to $10,000.

Mr Dutt confirmed the council planned to introduce cowpea intercropping for growers after the 2026 cane harvesting season.

Feedback: kaneta.naimatau@fijisun.com.fj