Fiji's Employment Ministry Seeks More Funding for Workplace Inspections

Fiji's Ministry of Employment is seeking increased funding in the upcoming national budget to bolster its workplace inspection capabilities and enhance compliance monitoring nationwide. Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh stated that the ministry's budget submission specifically requests additional personnel, particularly labor inspectors, to significantly raise the number of workplace assessments.

Singh emphasized that current resource limitations hinder the ministry's ability to conduct inspections at the desired frequency, making the hiring of more inspectors a top priority. He noted that the ministry has introduced a new paperless inspection system, enabling inspectors to submit reports online immediately. This digital approach aims to streamline processing times and allow for more workplaces to be inspected.

"We have made our budget submission, and we are happy that most of what we had asked for is being accommodated by the Ministry of Finance, and we are hopeful that this will be reflected when the final budget is announced. So, yes, we have asked for some extra resources," Singh commented. He added that these increased resources, coupled with digital inspection tools, would significantly enhance the ministry's capacity to oversee workplace standards and ensure greater compliance across the country.

Meanwhile, Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel confirmed that the government is currently in the process of reviewing budget proposals from various ministries and institutions. The Ministry of Employment expressed optimism that its budget requests are being seriously considered by the Ministry of Finance and anticipates a positive outcome when the final budget is unveiled.

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We have made our budget submission, and we are happy that most of what we had asked for is being accommodated by the Ministry of Finance, and we are hopeful that this will be reflected when the final budget is announced. So, yes, we have asked for some extra resources.