Minister Singh Raises Concern Over Rising Workplace Stress and Psychosocial Risks

Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Honourable Agni Deo Singh, has highlighted growing concerns over psychosocial risks in workplaces, warning that issues such as stress, poor communication, and job insecurity are increasingly affecting worker performance and relationships.

Speaking at the Western World Day for Safety and Health at Work pre-celebration in Ba today, Minister Singh stressed that workplace safety must extend beyond physical conditions to include mental, emotional, and social well-being.

“These psychosocial factors shape how workers experience their workplace, how they perform their duties, and how they cope with the pressures of work,” he said.

The SafeDay theme, “Let’s ensure a healthy psychosocial working environment,” brought together government representatives, employers, and workers to examine emerging challenges in modern workplaces.

Minister Singh pointed out that poor communication remains a key issue, often leaving workers uncertain about expectations and decisions, which can erode trust and weaken teamwork.

He also raised concerns about unequal pay, discrimination, and limited opportunities for workers to raise concerns, describing them as major contributors to dissatisfaction and tension in workplaces.

In some cases, he said, workers feel unable to speak up about safety issues due to fear of losing their jobs.

“This fear itself is a psychosocial hazard because it creates an environment where workers feel vulnerable and unsupported,” Minister Singh said.

The Minister noted that excessive workloads, unfair treatment, and lack of support can lead to stress, reduced morale, and increased workplace risks, further straining relationships between employers and workers.

Globally, depression and anxiety account for nearly 12 billion lost working days each year, costing an estimated $1 trillion in productivity losses, highlighting the scale of the issue.

Minister Singh reaffirmed the Fiji Government’s commitment to strengthening workplace safety and promoting healthier working environments through existing laws and continued collaboration with employers and workers.

He emphasised that creating a healthy psychosocial working environment is not just beneficial, but essential for the well-being of workers and the productivity of the nation.