The Department of Immigration approves work permits of foreign workers, says Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh.

Mr Singh made the comment in response to Fiji Trades Union Congress national president Daniel Urai who said there was a need to strengthen work permit systems for migrant workers.

Mr Urai said the trade union agenda in the Pacific had crept into the issue of foreign workers or migrant workers.

“This being a new challenge for our country and unions, signals to us that we need to develop or strengthen our work permits, and how employers are able to bring in workers in our country,” he said.

“These group of workers fear for their jobs and stay away from unions. Similarly, those who depart our shores to work under the Pacific Labour Mobility scheme and the Recognised Seasonal Employers scheme need unions to be their voice.”

In response to queries from this newspaper yesterday, Mr Singh said the work permits of foreign workers were being approved by the Department of Immigration.

“They follow rules and guidelines and we oversee compliance,” he said.

Questions have been sent to Minister for Immigration Viliame Naupoto.