A report from Fiji says foreign construction workers may have to be brought into the country to meet a shortage of skilled tradesmen for more than 100-million US dollars worth of building projects.
The Fiji Times says the building industry wants to bring in Aisan and Filipino workers.
The newspaper quotes the chief executive of the commerce ministry, Isireli Koya-mai-bole, as saying foreign workers could be recruited under strict for 12 to 18 months to ensure they do not take the jobs of skilled local workers.
But the Building, Construction, Timber and Allied Workers Union has strongly opposed the proposal.
Its general secretary, Tangavellua Pillay, says a number of skilled union members are unable to find jobs in the industry.
Mr Pillay says while tradesmen in Australia and New Zealand are paid 15 to 20 dollars an hour, Fiji workers are only paid $2.50 for the same job.
Fiji's skills shortage has been worsened by the migration of tradesmen to Australia and new Zealand.
