Women now make up the majority of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) workforce, as the organisation expands staffing to strengthen operations in its post-COVID recovery phase.
According to the 2023–2024 Annual Report, FRCS has a total of 648 employees, with 332 female staff compared to 316 male employees, reflecting a slight female majority.
The growth in workforce comes as FRCS ramps up recruitment to build capacity and improve service delivery. During the 2023–2024 period, the organisation recruited 97 new staff, while 73 former employees rejoined through newly created positions.
FRCS said the recruitment drive forms part of its strategy to become an employer of choice while ensuring it has the right personnel to deliver on its long-term objectives.
Staff are distributed across key divisions, with Customs employing the largest number at 237, followed by Taxation with 174 and Compliance with 94. Other divisions include Corporate Services, Technology, Finance, People, Capability and Culture, and the Executive Office.
By location, the majority of employees are based in Suva with 371 staff, followed by Nadi with 168 and Lautoka with 67. Smaller numbers are located in centres such as Labasa, Savusavu and Ba.
The increase in staffing has also driven a rise in employee costs.
Total employee expenditure climbed to $33.7 million for the year ending July 2024, up from $25.2 million in 2023 — an increase of more than 33 percent.
Salaries and wages accounted for the largest share at $26.2 million, followed by FNPF contributions, overtime and allowances at $4.26 million. Other costs included annual leave, recruitment, and training and professional development.
FRCS said the continued investment in its workforce is aimed at strengthening operational capacity and supporting its ongoing modernisation and expansion efforts.
