There is no comprehensive data available to ascertain the reality of the employment, unemployment and labour situation in Fiji at this point in time with no survey conducted since 2005.

Fijivillage has tried to obtain the latest stats from the Ministry of Labour, the Fiji Employers Federation and the Bureau of Statistics, which has proven futile.

The Permanent Secretary for Labour Taito Waqa earlier confirmed that collation of monthly employment figures by the Ministry ceased a few years ago and it is now the responsibility of the Bureau of Statistics.

The Bureau of Stats Employment and Labour Division confirmed to Fijivillage that no comprehensive data has been put together on the Employment and Labour situation in Fiji since 2005.

They confirmed that the data collected from employers since 2006 has been collated and they are now finalizing the figures to ascertain what the real situation is. The report is expected to be the first in two years to show how many people are working in Fiji, how many are unemployed, how the labour market is looking at the moment, how much people earn and whether they are able to make ends meet.

Fiji Employers Federation President Dixon Seeto told Fijivillage that employers are required to provide monthly data but there has been no analysis provided on the information.