Fijian, iTaukei , English, Fiji Hindi

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Undoubtedly, payroll is a critical process for any organization. The pay cycle in Fiji refers to the period for which an organization pays its employees, and this can vary depending on the pay frequency that the organization chooses to adopt.    

The frequency cycle is Monthly. 

There is no law that requires employers in Fiji to provide employees with a 13th/14th/15th month bonus pay.

The normal working hours for private sector employees in Fiji are 8 hours/day or 44 hours/week. but they must not exceed 48 hours/week.

The rate of overtime pay is as follows:

1.5 times the employee's normal hourly rate for the first four hours worked in excess of normal working hours and Twice the employee's normal hourly rate for all time worked thereafter.

Overtime work on Scheduled Days Off and National Holidays:

1. Twice the worker’s normal rate of remuneration in respect of all the time worked on a rostered day-off;
2. One and half times the worker’s normal hourly rate of remuneration in respect of all time worked on a public holiday;

For all time worked on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays:

1)The rate of remuneration payable for overtime shall be at least 1.5 times the regular hourly rate

Fiji's labor laws do not explicitly stipulate that employers must guarantee the protection and privacy of employee data in the workplace. Nevertheless, it is advisable for employers in Fiji to adhere to international best practices when handling sensitive personal information, such as during background checks or workplace monitoring and surveillance.

The Employment Relations Act of 2007, as amended in 2020, prohibits discrimination in employment on the following grounds:

• Sex
• Race
• Religion
• Political opinion
• Personal characteristic and circumstances
• Colour 
• Place of origin
• Gender 
• Sexual orientation
• Identity
• Expression 
• Birth
• Primary language
• Economic or social health status
• HIVB/AIDS status
• Disability age
• Marital status or pregnancy

Employers are required to pay employees a minimum wage. The minimum wage is set by the government.

Employees are entitled to annual paid leave, sick leave, and other types of leave.

The following documents are typically required for onboarding a new employee in Fiji:

1. Copy of passport or birth certificate:
2. Copy of qualifications
3. Police check certificate
4. Immigration status document

In addition to the above, the employer may also require the following documents:

1. Bank account details
2. Tax file number (TFN)
3. Superannuation fund details

There is no legal provision for a probation period for employees. However, this can be determined within the employment contract between the employer and the employee.

• 1 January - New Year's Day
• 2 January - New Year Holiday
• 7 April - Good Friday
• 8 April - Easter Saturday
• 10 April - Easter Monday
• 7 September - Constitution Day
• 2 October - Prophet Muhammad's Birthday 
• 10 October - Fiji Day
• 12 November - Diwali Holiday 
• 25 December - Christmas Day 
• 26 December - Boxing Day

Employees are entitled to 10 working days of paid annual leave after each year of employment. Leave must be taken in an unbroken period, unless otherwise agreed between the employee and employer.

Employees are entitled to 10 working days of paid sick leave per year. Sick leave may be taken for a full day or a half day. An employee absent from work for more than three consecutive days must provide a doctor's certificate to their employer specifying the nature of the illness or injury.

Employees who have worked for an employer for at least three months are entitled to five working days of paid family care leave per year. Family care leave may be taken to care for or support a member of the employee's immediate family or a member of the employee's household. (this leave does not include in carry over)

Employees who have worked for an employer for at least three months are entitled to paid bereavement leave for 3 days

Female employees are entitled to 84 days of paid maternity leave, 42 days before the expected date of delivery and 42 days after the birth of the child. A daily maternity allowance of F$5.00 is also payable during the leave period.

Male employees are entitled to five working days of paid paternity leave after the birth of their child. If:

1. The employee has completed more than 3 months of continuous service with the same employer;
2. The employee is or is to be a primary caregiver for his child; and
3. The employee provides a medical certificate specifying the expected date of the birth of his child.

A female employee with at least 150 days of employment in the nine months before the expected delivery is eligible for 98 days of paid maternity leave upon providing a medical certificate specifying the due date.

If absent for more than 98 consecutive days, the employee is not entitled to wages beyond this period.

If a female employee passes away before or after childbirth without receiving entitled wages, the employer or any of her employers is responsible for paying these wages to the nominee.

The termination of employment of private sector employees in Fiji is governed by the Employment Relations Act 2007 (ERA). The ERA sets out the minimum requirements for employers to follow when terminating an employee's employment.

Notice periods are as follows: 

1. Where the contract period is less than one week and wages are paid at intervals of less than one week, there is no notice period
2. Where the contract period is one week or more but less than a fortnight or where wages are paid weekly or at intervals of more than a week but less than a fortnight, notice period of 7 days seven days
3. Where the contract period is a fortnight or more but less than a month or where wages are paid fortnightly or at intervals of more than a fortnight but less than a month, the notice period is of 14 days
4. Where the contract period is one month, the notice period is of one month

In Fiji the amount of the redundancy payment is 1 week's salary per year worked.

1. Completed and signed application of work permit form
2. Certified copy of applicant’s bio-data page of passport
3. Two [2] certified photographs
4. Request letter from the employer
5. Police Report for Principal applicant [from country of citizenship]
6. Curriculum Vitae [CV]

In Fiji, there are no explicit legal regulations governing background checks for employment.

The most common types of background checks conducted in Fiji include:

1. Academic certificates
2. Work experience 
3. Criminal records 
4. financial history  
5. Medical records
6. Identity searches: This includes verifying the applicant's address, driver's license, and social media presence.