Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has ordered an immediate investigation into the treatment of 26 Bangladeshi workers following reports of poor living conditions and alleged breaches of employment contracts at a supermarket in the Central Division.
The directive was issued to the Minister for Employment and the Minister for Immigration, after Rabuka visited the workers.
The visit followed concerns and complaints raised about the workers’ welfare.
In a Fiji Government statement, Rabuka stated that the workers had detailed serious grievances, including overcrowded accommodation, insufficient food supplies, and conditions that allegedly violate their employment agreements.
The employer is reported to have followed legal immigration and employment processes, however the Prime Minister stressed that mere compliance with the law is not enough.
“No worker should live in conditions that compromise their dignity,” he said. “Following the law is one thing — but doing what is right for your workers is another.”
Rabuka used the site visit to apologise to the workers.
He also called on the employer to take immediate steps to improve the workers’ living arrangements and to uphold their basic welfare needs, stressing that foreign workers must be afforded the same respect and protections as local employees.
Photo: File
