Employment Ministry strengthens ties with Immigration to protect foreign workers

The Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations says accommodation and welfare concerns involving Bangladeshi workers in Fiji were previously investigated and addressed through enforcement measures.

The Ministry was responding to our article on a United States report highlighting alleged exploitation and welfare concerns involving the workers.

Permanent Secretary for Employment Jone Maritino Nemani said the Ministry was strengthening its collaboration with the Department of Immigration to improve foreign worker recruitment and regulatory oversight.

“This ongoing partnership includes efforts to streamline work permit processing, improve administrative efficiency and strengthen coordination between the two agencies to ensure that foreign workers are recruited and employed in accordance with Fiji’s laws.”

Nemani said the cooperation was also aimed at ensuring employers met their responsibilities.

“Our continued collaboration with the Department of Immigration is important in strengthening compliance, improving recruitment processes and ensuring that employers fulfil their legal obligations,” he said.

The Ministry said improvements to recruitment procedures were intended to increase efficiency, transparency and accountability while maintaining safeguards for workers’ rights and welfare.

It stressed that employers must comply with Fiji’s employment and occupational health and safety laws, and that the protection of all workers, regardless of nationality, remained a priority.