Anthony: Wage theft rife

WAGE theft is rife, and most offenders are from the security sector.

This was highlighted by Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) national secretary Felix Anthony while speaking at the Employment Relations Forum in Suva yesterday.

Mr Anthony claimed some workers were not being paid their rightful wages following unlawful deductions and penalties imposed on them for not complying with company policies.

He called for new laws to consider addressing the issue of wage theft in the country.

He also gave an example of a company that had a claim of “a couple of million dollars”.

“That’s a lot of money for workers, but it’s now five or six years and there’s no sign of any recovery at the moment,” he said.

“By the time we eventually recover anything, many of these workers would be untraceable. But that’s the tragedy of this whole thing. This new Government’s got a lot of work in that respect.”

Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh said they were not at liberty to release the name of the company as the case was before the court.

“All I can say is, yes, there is wage theft, and the claims go into millions,” he said.

“And we have filed cases that are before the courts. And the majority of offenders are from the security sector, some from the garment sector, wholesale and retail sector, the supermarkets.”

Mr Singh said the courts were taking their time and this was beyond the ministry’s control.

However, in a bid to address the issue, Mr Singh said they were placing more emphasis on enforcement and inspections.

“Our workers are out there to do their own routine inspection,” he said.

“So, all minimum standards, including health and safety, minimum wages, are all met. We check the books. We interview workers.

“But I must admit, I agree with Mr Anthony that workers are still suffering from that fear that was instilled in them so many years ago and some of the employers are still suffering from that hangover and that is something that is taking time.”