Unions warn of rising workplace stress risks

Concerns over worsening workplace conditions and rising psychosocial risks have been raised by union leaders, with calls for urgent action to protect workers’ health, dignity and lives.

Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) national treasurer Muniappa Goundar made the comments during the 2026 World Day for Safety and Health at Work at the Civic Centre in Suva today.

Mr Goundar said workplace safety must go beyond physical protection and address growing mental and emotional pressures faced by workers.

He said the theme of ensuring a healthy psychosocial working environment was not just symbolic, but “a cry for justice” and a call for immediate action across all workplaces.

“Work must never cost a person their peace of mind, their dignity, their health, or their life,” he said.

Mr Goundar said while much attention is given to physical safety measures such as protective gear and machinery, the “invisible injuries” of modern labour — including stress, anxiety, burnout, job insecurity and workplace bullying — are often ignored.

He said these psychosocial hazards are real and dangerous, contributing to serious health conditions such as depression and heart disease, while also worsening Fiji’s non-communicable disease crisis.

“Workers are not only dying from what they eat; they are dying from how they work,” Mr Goundar said.

He stressed that safe workplaces, fair workloads and secure employment are not favours but fundamental rights grounded in Fiji’s legal framework.

Mr Goundar also raised concerns about low wages, saying workers should not be forced to choose between basic necessities such as food, rent, medicine and transport.

He said increasing workplace pressures were contributing to absenteeism, with many workers mentally and physically exhausted rather than unwilling to work.

Mr Goundar also highlighted challenges faced by teachers, citing heavy workloads, long hours and lack of support, which he said have contributed to increasing numbers leaving the profession.

He stressed the importance of genuine consultation, saying workers and unions must be actively involved in decision-making processes.

“Nothing about workers without workers,” he said.

Mr Goundar called on employers to create supportive environments and urged Government to fast-track legislative reforms to better protect workers.

He said delays in addressing workplace issues come at a human cost and that building a strong nation begins with protecting its workers.