BY RODRICK DESURI
Auki
Local workers in Malaita Province have raised concerns over unfair wages by Chinese companies and wholesale shops to their workers, saying the payment is very small compared to the amount of work done.
They also raised concern and questions to the Labour Division within the Ministry responsible, about their rights and safety.
A research done in Auki showed that local workers are working for long hours while earning meager wages.
According to the research, the workers having worked for long hours are left physically and mentally exhausted by the end of the day, diminishing their quality of life and fostering a sense of exploitation.
One worker said the work for almost thirteen hours each day and their rate is eight dollars per hour.
Malaita Provincial Youth coordinator, Frank Samo Sari said he has also witnessed the same scenario with local workers who work as an shop assistants.
He said shop assistants stand almost for the whole day.
“It is unacceptable for our local store assistants to stand for extended periods from early morning until late evening, serving customers without adequate breaks or rest.
“I have been speaking with a few workers. They said they started working at 7am and continued until 8.30pm and beyond,” he said.
He calls on the Ministry of Commerce for intervention into the issues facing local workers in the province and the country as a whole.
He said the Ministry of Commerce, through the Labour Department, needs to investigate the conditions these local workers are facing.
“There is an urgent need for the Ministry of Commerce and the Labour Department to investigate the working conditions faced by local shop assistants.
“Stringent oversight is necessary to ensure that labor laws are adhered to and that workers are treated fairly according to the statutory mandates under the commission with regard to labor law,” he said.
He added that advocating for government intervention can help enforce labour standards and ensure that local workers are protected from exploitation.
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