OPPOSITION MP Parveen Kumar has challenged the Government to establish whether claims by employers of a shortage of local workers are supported by evidence, particularly in the construction sector, where businesses have increasingly turned to foreign labour.
Mr Kumar questioned whether any survey or assessment had been conducted to determine if Fijians were genuinely unwilling to take up available jobs or whether employers were using the labour shortage argument to justify overseas recruitment.
“When we speak to the employers, the reason they give is, the locals do not want to work,” he said.
“Has there been any survey conducted to really find out whether this is true or there is any truth in it, because sometimes the employers also take advantage of the situation.”
Responding to the concerns, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Filimoni Vosarogo acknowledged the issue, saying he had been in the ministerial role for only two weeks but agreed that employers’ claims needed to be properly investigated.
Mr Vosarogo said some local job seekers had indicated they were available for employment but were overlooked in favour of overseas recruits.
He acknowledged that foreign workers were sometimes perceived by employers as being able to work longer hours and complete tasks faster.
However, he cautioned against allowing such perceptions to undermine the capacity and potential of the local workforce.
“We have to find out if that statement is really evidence-based because I am sure that we have a very strong, reliable, and trustworthy workforce locally.”
Mr Vosarogo urged businesses to exercise patience and invest in training local workers rather than prioritising foreign recruitment.
“We cannot have a situation where we have a growing foreign workforce over and above the preference for a local workforce that is available,” he said.
