The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment has ensured that social justice is served to 140 workers after the Ministry recently recovered and paid out about $63,000 arrears of wages for a period of three years.
For a 23 year-old worker, the payout will assist him further his education in maritime studies which he intended to complete for quite some time while a 24 year old mother said the payment was timely as she anticipated the birth of another child.
Minister Jone Usamate said the Ministry is proud to have made a difference in the lives of these workers and accord them with what is rightfully theirs.
“This pay-out is indicative of Government’s commitment to ensure that all workers receive social justice through the ‘just wages’ provision enshrined in Fiji’s 2013 Constitution,” Mr Usamate said.
Mr Usamate highlighted that the main issue identified in this case was the non-payment of wages for the hours of work done by the workers.
He commended the management of the organisation involved for cooperating and paying the workers their rightful wages and benefits under the country’s labour laws.
“Our aim is to appreciate the vital contribution of our workers in national wealth creation. This means that employers must realize the value of their workers and their needs to sustain their livelihood whilst contributing towards the employers’ profitability,” Mr Usamate said.
Mr Usamate also thanked the Ministry’s investigation team for their hardwork in ensuring the payments to workers were made.
“This was one of the biggest investigations conducted by the Ministry. A total of 219,888 Wages and Time record documents were audited for 1200 staff by 17 Ministry staff,” Mr Usamate said.
“The 140 workers were mostly employed in manual work.”
Workers and family members present during the presentation of the cheques were grateful to the Fijian Government for the payout.
Meanwhiile, the Labour Standard Service of the Ministry will be conducting training on the Employment Relations Promulgation (ERP) 2007 for the management and workers of the organisation so that all are well informed of their rights and responsibilities under the labour laws.
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