9 Nov 2005

Fiji Immigration staff accused of selling services to illegal immigrants

11:13 am on 9 November 2005

A Fiji government senator has accused Immigration Department staff of demanding cash and sex for issuing work permits, residency and Fiji passports to illegal Chinese immigrants.

Radio Legend says the charge has been levelled by a senior representative of Fiji's long established Chinese community and a senator appointed by the prime minister, Kenneth Low.

Mr Low says they are concerned at the corruption in the Immigration Department which is resulting in an increasing number of Chinese immigrants arriving illegally in the country.

He says if some officers are demanding money and sex, they cannot be expected to carry out their duties honestly.

Mr Low is calling for a commission of inquiry into the corruption so the Immigration Department is cleaned up to prevent the entry of illegal Chinese migrants.

The senator has offered to be part of the commission if one is set up.