Three Nepali workers currently being accommodated in a safe house have been identified as victims of human trafficking, according to Fiji immigration officials, who have also highlighted gaps in existing legislation dealing with worker exploitation.
Manager Border Security and Enforcement Jese Cirikisuva revealed to local media that the information while appearing before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The issue arose after committee member Virendra Lal questioned officials about cases involving abuse of foreign workers and instances where workers had been sent home for breaching permit conditions.
Cirikisuva said current immigration legislation is largely focused on offences committed by foreign workers rather than employers, creating challenges in addressing cases of exploitation and abuse.
He noted that existing laws lack adequate enforcement mechanisms, penalties and infringement notices for foreign workers who fail to comply with the terms and conditions of their permits.
“The Ministry has identified this gap,” Cirikisuva said, adding that recent legislative amendments have strengthened provisions aimed at addressing breaches of permit conditions.
During the hearing, Lal also sought clarification on how the Ministry coordinates with the Ministry of Employment to prevent the abuse of work permits and protect migrant workers.
Cirikisuva said immigration officials work closely with the Ministry’s Permits and Visa team to identify companies whose workers are not complying with permit requirements.
He added that the Immigration Department and the Ministry of Employment regularly conduct joint operations and awareness programmes to improve compliance and reduce abuse within the labour market.
Cirikisuva acknowledged that authorities continue to encounter a range of cases involving foreign workers, including situations where workers themselves have been subjected to abuse by employers.
He also informed the committee that 75 prohibited immigrants were removed from Fiji last year.
The revelations come amid ongoing scrutiny of labour practices involving foreign workers and growing concerns about human trafficking and workplace exploitation in the region.
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