Fletcher Higgins Fiji has issued redundancy notices to 175 employees yesterday, citing ongoing challenges with its road maintenance contract with the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA).
The Construction, Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF) has said the company, which employs around 580 workers, has informed the union that its FRA road maintenance contract has been renewed only on a month-to-month basis for the past nine months, with no agreement reached on contract pricing.
Fletcher Higgins has now withdrawn from the tender process for the ongoing maintenance agreement, leading to immediate job losses and the possibility of more redundancies.
The Construction, Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji (CETWUF met with Fletcher Higgins Fiji yesterday.
CETWUF said the company revealed that it has been operating at a loss for the past two years due to reductions in the scope and value of works awarded under the FRA maintenance agreement.
“In 2024, our average monthly turnover was between $7–8 million. This has now fallen by half in 2025,” said CETWUF union rep Salesh naidu.
“Furthermore, delays in payments — sometimes up to 60 to 80 days despite a 30-day payment clause — have placed severe financial strain on the business.”
Fletcher Higgins, which is 50% locally owned — with 25% shares held by the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) and 25% by Fijian Holdings Limited (FHL) — said it regrets the impact the redundancies will have on workers and their families.
CETWUF, which maintains a Collective Agreement with the company, said it is deeply concerned about the situation and has called for immediate government intervention.
“This is not just a company issue — it affects Fijian workers, their families, and Fijian investments,” said CETWUF union rep, Salesh Naidu.
“Fletcher Higgins has been a market leader in quality road works and has consistently offered wages and conditions well above industry standards. The FRA and Government must step in now to prevent the loss of all 580 jobs.”
Mr Naidu added that while the Union supports the FRA’s efforts to promote local contractors, it will take time for these new operators to reach the quality and efficiency benchmarks set by Fletcher Higgins.
“We call on the Government of Fiji to direct the FRA to engage in good faith discussions with the company to find an amicable solution. Failure to do so could result in the total collapse of one of Fiji’s leading road construction employers,” he said.
