The Fiji Tourism Workers Union have expressed its deep concern following a hotel staff bus accident in Denarau, Nadi this morning.
Union Employee Relations Consultant Sailesh Naidu said the incident has again highlighted the unsafe and substandard transport conditions endured by many hotel workers across Fiji.
“Reports from our members reveal that vehicles provided by hotels to transport employees are poorly maintained, overcrowded, and not roadworthy, placing the lives of workers at a daily risk,” he said.
“The Denarau incident underscores the urgent need for employers and authorities to tale immediate corrective action to ensure that all worker transport complies with national road safety and occupational health standards.
“Adding to this concern, the Union has received alarming reports that in several hotels, employees are being made to pay for transport provided by the employer- particularly for those working in remote locations or on early morning and late-night shifts where no public transport is available.
“In some cases, hotel management has made these deductions a condition of employment, which is a clear breach of the Employment Relations Act.”
Mr Naidu referred to Section 24 of the Act that prohibits any employer from making unauthorised deductions from a worker’s wage.
He said any attempt to recover transport costs in such manner was “unlawful and exploitative”.
“Workers should not have to bear the cost of getting to work when the employer controls both the location and the scheduling of shifts.
“The Union calls for the following immediate actions that includes the Ministry of Employment and Land Transport Authority to conduct a full safety inspection of all transport arrangements in the tourism sector.
The union also wants hotel employers to cease unlawful deductions for transport and refund affected employees and industry stakeholders to adopt and enforce minimum safety and welfare standards for all worker transport in compliance with OHS and Employment Relations laws.”
