Suva, Fiji - Illegal rent increases, undocumented sub-letting, overcharging of utility bills – all are common issues unfairly experienced by tenants in Fiji, particularly those living in tightly-packed informal settlements. Tenants are often uncertain about their rights and are afraid to talk about it openly, a fear compounded by the continuing economic crunch caused by COVID-19's impact on Fiji. The Rights, Empowerment and Cohesion (REACH) for Rural and Urban Fijians Project is empowering residents with knowledge of the governing laws, their rights and responsibilities as tenants and those of landlords, giving them clarity and the ability to stand up and fight for their rights.

As internal migration to urban areas increases, various problems arise in the suburban communities particularly in self-made, spontaneous, self-managed and unplanned settlements. 880 million people live in informal settlements in developing countries according to a 2015 UN Habitat report.

Residents in overcrowded settlements face the absence of land tenure security, precarious or non-existent infrastructure, poor housing conditions, pollution and poor hygiene, and sanitation. 

Recognizing their needs and vulnerability particularly in this health and socio-economic emergency under the COVID-19 pandemic, REACH awareness raising and service delivery have begun targeting densely populated informal settlements in urban and suburban areas around the capital city of Suva, often referred to as the Suva-Nausori corridor. Plans to do the same in similar informal settlements around the country are already being formulated.

During the REACH missions held so far, communities accessed knowledge and services on health and hygiene related to the COVID-19, sexual and reproductive health for women and girls, and social welfare schemes. Technical support, psychosocial trauma, and stress counselling were also provided to residents living with disabilities.

Communities were also reminded that rent increase is illegal in Fiji under the Rent Freeze Order which has been extended to be effective ‘till 31 December 2020, the enforcement of which falls to the Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC).

“One of our mandates as an organisation is to ensure that Fijians are aware of their rights as consumers and the mechanisms to redress they have at their disposal - and we have been very successful in that regard. We have seen a marked increase in consumer rights awareness among Fijians thanks to our multi-pronged approach and in fact have seen an increased number of Fijians raising issues with us as a result,” said FCCC Chief Executive Officer, Joel Abraham.

“Apart from our physical and traditional outreach programs, we recognise the critical importance of using social media to promote our messaging and have a presence on all major platforms from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin to the more recent TikTok. On our Facebook page alone, we have hundreds of thousands of Fijians visiting on a regular basis where they have access to the latest consumer rights information and updates. Fijians can reach us directly through these mediums.”

He added, “FCCC regularly provides information on the responsibilities and rights of Fijian tenants and landlords, especially in regards to the current rent freeze. We advise tenants to let us know if they are being treated unfairly and make sure to reinforce the responsibility a landlord has towards their tenants, even offering to mediate any disputes.

“We supplement our online activities with our outreach programs where we seek to empower Fijians and have regularly facilitated and coordinated awareness workshops in schools and communities, and participated in roadshows and consultations.”

“Credit must be given to the Fijian Government and Prime Minister for supporting grassroot programs and their prompt response to COVID-19 even before the first case was up. One of our notable programs involved working with the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs to train village headmen and arm them with the ability to conduct market surveillance and inspections to better help protect the consumer interests of Fijians in rural and maritime areas,” said Mr. Abraham.

UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Resident Representative Levan Bouadze said, “The REACH Project responds to those interrelated multiple issues through integrated service delivery and awareness raising, making them accessible in the communities.”  

“I thank the Government of Australia for its generous support for the initiative, and Fiji’s Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation for taking lead with more new partners and continuing as its programme,” he said.

The restrictions put in place to curb the spread of the COVID-19 in Fiji allowed only limited number of residents to come to the service at once – access is strictly limited with a mandatory hand washing station (including instruction on how to wash hands properly), fever checks with hand-held thermometers and the recording of detailed contact information should contact tracing prove necessary.  This is mandatory for everyone entering – including stakeholders delivering awareness raising and services to beneficiaries.

The project aims to reach the furthest behind first in Fiji’s effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals with focus on Goal 16, which is a commitment to peace, justice and strong institutions.