Fiji remains on the Tier 2 Watch List in the 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report for the second consecutive year due to the government’s continued shortfall in fully meeting the minimum standards necessary to eliminate human trafficking. Although Fiji has made significant efforts in this area, such as increasing trafficking investigations and enhancing collaboration with civil society organizations, it has not demonstrated overall improvement compared to the previous year. Crucial measures include the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for victim identification, the initiation of a centralized trafficking case management system, and updates to the National Action Plan against trafficking.
However, persistent issues hinder progress, including a lack of new prosecutions and convictions of traffickers. Complicity and corruption within official ranks continue to undermine anti-trafficking efforts, allowing traffickers to operate with impunity.
The report provides several recommendations for Fiji, such as formally approving and implementing SOPs for victim identification and referral to care, improving investigations and prosecutions, and tackling corruption. It underscores the need for proactive measures to identify victims among vulnerable populations, penalizing traffickers with significant prison terms, dedicating resources towards the 2026 national action plan, and improving training for law enforcement and judiciary on trafficking laws.
Moreover, the report advises amending the 2009 Crimes Act to criminalize all trafficking forms, allowing foreign victims to work and earn income while participating in investigations, and ensuring their protection from repatriation to countries where they may face danger.
Increasing public awareness through campaigns and improving collaboration with civil societies is also recommended. Expanding protection services, including safehouses and medical care, alongside comprehensive institutional training for frontline officials, is crucial.
Despite recent legislative advances and efforts to combat trafficking, Fiji’s path forward requires resolving gaps in implementation and enhancing international and local collaborations. Such persistent efforts are necessary to ensure that vulnerable populations are protected and that trafficking laws are enforced effectively, fostering hope for meaningful change.