More than 770 employers in Fiji are importing foreign workers to combat a worsening domestic skills crisis, with work permit applications hitting a record monthly high of 1080 in September this year.
The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) also noted data that revealed approximately 6400 work permits were issued as of January in 2025, underscoring the growing reliance on overseas labour because of severe domestic supply-side deficiencies.
FCEF chief executive officer Edward Bernard’s comments follow the Tertiary Scholarships and Services (TSLS) report of more than 33,000 scholarship recipients who had failed to complete their studies or had their awards terminated; and only 53 per cent of graduates in the last three years managed to secure employment.
“Employers and investors are very concerned about the state of our labour market,” Mr Bernard said. “Our labour market is not working for Fiji as it continues to have supply side challenges.
“What is more concerning is that no Government agency is taking the lead role to address this national challenge.
“These non-completion cases have come at a cost of $235 million to taxpayers and further loss of opportunity to fill the labour and skills gaps in Fiji and contribute to productivity and economic growth.”
The Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) backed FCEF’s position, stating the findings reinforce long-standing warnings from the tourism sector.
Association chief executive Fantasha Lockington emphasized that the reliance on overseas workers reflected a deep disconnect between education, training, and actual business needs.
“Tourism businesses want to employ and develop more Fijians. But having vacancies available does not mean there are candidates with the skills, qualifications and practical experience to fill them,” Ms Lockington said in a statement.
“Businesses have operations to maintain and visitors to serve, and when local recruitment cannot meet those needs, they have little choice but to look elsewhere.”
Ms Lockington said the Government could not expect businesses to employ more locals while failing to address the training and skills gaps that prevented them from doing so.
“Immigration restrictions alone will not fix this. We need practical job pathways, relevant training and coordinated national leadership that connects Fijians to the opportunities already available,” she added.
Ms Lockington said Fiji must move beyond measuring education investment through enrolment numbers, scholarship allocations and funding commitments, and instead measure success through course completion, graduate employability, skills relevance and the workforce needs of the economy being met.
Lockington. Picture: FILE
