Fiji is in the middle of a “labour and skills crisis”, one that is being felt right across economic sectors and industries nationwide.
The revelation has emerged after recent reports that representatives of the mining sector had reached out to the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) for help as they struggle to find skilled labour for their mining operations.
Responding to questions sent last week by this newspaper, FCEF chief executive officer Edward Bernard confirmed the meeting and said while such a meeting was not unusual, as members reach out to them from time to time, they have been approached by both members and non FCEF members facing similar challenges.
“FCEF has labeled this labour market condition as a ‘Labour and Skills Crisis’,” Mr Bernard said.
“There are both: (a) not enough workers that is demanded by private and public sector, and: (b) there is a lack of relevant skills demanded by the private and public sectors.
“We have received reports that this situation is being felt by a wide cross section of sectors and more disproportionally impacting companies that are not located in major cities and urban areas.”
He said last week’s meeting with the miners mainly focused on labour issues.
“The major concerns raised related Human Resources, ranging from technical skills shortages specific to mining operations, to difficulty in attracting and retaining general labour to high absentees by the current workers that is impacting productivity and sustainability of mining enterprises and the industry.
“Mining companies have committed huge capital and development investments and are rightly concerned about the labour market situation in the country.
“For instance, Vatukoula Gold Mine has invested $15 million for the next 3 years at Mount Kasi Gold Mine in Vanua Levu and they want to see returns on investment.
“Last quarter, Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) Economic Review reported gold production falling by 27.7per cent.
“Mineral water and sugar production also declined and these sectors are also facing similar challenges.
“Other related issues include absence of mine related training programmes in higher education and TVET institutes, delays in the issuance of work permits for highly skilled technical mine personnel, bureaucracy in importing and obtaining mining products and others.”
Mr Bernard said FCEF is working through its Mining & Quarry Council (MQC) to develop a work plan and implement activities that will create a more conducive business environment for mining companies to operate. “Meetings have been organised next week with key Government officials to discuss these challenges and collectively craft solutions that will ultimately contribute to employment creation, business sustainability and economic growth.”
Mr Bernard said to establish a better understanding of “the distorted labour market”, FCEF, in collaboration with the Fiji Human Resource Institute (FHRI) and Higher Education Commission of Fiji (HECF) with the technical assistance of the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, is rolling out the National Skills and Labour Demand Survey.
“The objective of the survey is to understand where the skills and labour gaps are in both the private and public sectors.
“A report should be available in late January 2026,” he said.
