Zero trafficking convictions in Fiji despite surge in victim identification

The Government identified 61 trafficking victims in 2024 but failed to secure a single conviction for the second consecutive year, according to the 2025 United States Trafficking in Persons Report on Fiji.

The report revealed that despite initiating five new trafficking investigations, authorities did not initiate any new prosecutions during the reporting period.

"The government did not initiate any new trafficking prosecutions, compared with initiating one trafficking prosecution in the previous reporting period.

"Courts did not convict any traffickers for the second consecutive year," the report stated.

Of the 61 victims identified, 59 were labor trafficking victims, one was a sex trafficking victim, and one experienced unspecified exploitation – a significant increase from only eight labor trafficking victims identified the previous year.

All identified victims were referred to services, with 56 receiving safe housing, according to government reports.

However, the U.S report noted that "official complicity and corruption undermined anti-trafficking efforts and allowed traffickers to operate with impunity."

The report highlighted that authorities continued investigating two senior government officials who allegedly engaged in misconduct regarding work permit issuances for foreign nationals, but no prosecutions or disciplinary actions were initiated during the reporting period.

Four trafficking investigations initiated in previous years remained ongoing at the end of the reporting period.

The Government allocated $128,440 Fijian dollars for victim care services, including safe house renovations, though victims often relied on non-governmental organisations for the majority of services and support.

Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Pio Tikoduadua previously acknowledged Fiji needed improvement but defended the government's anti-trafficking efforts through security agencies.

The report placed Fiji on Tier 2 Watch List, meaning Fiji is making some effort to stop human trafficking but is not doing enough.

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