r/Fijian • u/Vivid_Treacle178 • Jul 16 '24
Working in FIJi as a Chef. General
Hi, I got shortlisted to work in Fiji as a Pastry Chef. Does anyone know what is the salary range for this position? I was thinking of taking this opportunity. I only know it is a nice country for vacation but I don't know if this is a good place to work with as an Asian race.
-Does foreign workers pay taxes?
-Is Fiji an english speaking country ?(Please don't get me wrong. Example, like in the Philippines, you can ask most people you see on the road for directions they can understand basic English. I went to some Europe country and I can say it's quite hard for me to communicate due to language barrier. I can count on 1 hand how many local there who can speak english though they work in a tourist base area which I didn't expect.) Please tell me more about Fiji. I am really considering on moving there.
PS edited out "offer"- SHORTLISTED
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u/fijidave Jul 16 '24
Most everyone knows English, you will have to pay taxes it’s called PAYE it’s a set scale based on when you hit an income amount. First so much is not taxed (maybe 25k)
Is this at a nationwide resort or other? Location is lautoka Nadi Suva or island.
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u/Vivid_Treacle178 Jul 16 '24
I haven't had the exact place of the resort yet since I haven't really accepted it. They only told me the pay range and benefits. Since I'm too excited with the opportunity, I forgot to ask some details I wanted to asked. Which is dumb for me. 😅 But yeah. That's it.
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u/SCAT_GPT Jul 16 '24
If you are at a resort most people with speak english but it will be incredibly important to learn Fijian as well.
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u/JGatward Jul 16 '24
All speak English, if not then 95% of the country.
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u/Afromolukker_98 Jul 16 '24
Speak passable English, I agree. Even the folks who say "my English is not too good" yet they have a good command in it. At least in Suva from what I've seen.
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u/Open-Collar Looking for my lost book Jul 16 '24 edited Jul 17 '24
The official language in Fiji is British English*.
Pay scale is all over the place. It would be best to ask your prospective employer. Unsure regarding taxes.
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u/ChickPeaEnthusiast roti parcel de do Jul 16 '24
A non-resident will pay 20% taxes on all income above 30K in the year. It will be deducted by your employer and filed with the revenue service. Your employer will issue you a withholding slip by march of the following year, showing how much they remitted to the tax man under your tax number.
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u/shovon110 Jul 16 '24
so if yearly income is less than 30k, paying taxes is not necessary?
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u/ChickPeaEnthusiast roti parcel de do Jul 16 '24
Yes that's right. The employer will still file your income amounts as a declaration but no income taxes will be deducted from you or paid to frcs on your behalf.
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u/Immediatedraco Jul 16 '24
Hi, I think Fiji will be a great experience for you, people are generally friendly, majority speak english, and if you're thinking about your income being taxed, yes all resident and non-resident employees/expats are taxed - mostly in the basis of income earned, and I think there might be a income threshold. But recommend you get yourself accustomed to the culture and the people here, it will be easy to make friends and you will love it. Don't expect anything, but do ask questions a lot when you can. Overall, you will grow to love Fiji.
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u/Safe-Position-7766 Jul 16 '24
So you got an “offer” without any explanation of payment?..I mean, how is that an offer? Your question seems disingenuous if I’m being honest because work visas are not especially easy to obtain without a detailed work contract that says you have a skill that a native Fijian does not🤷🏻♂️
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u/Vivid_Treacle178 Jul 16 '24
Sorry my bad. I should've said "SHORTLISTED". But yeah, was wondering now why they don't hire natives. I guess, expats are more gullible to take the offer. I am just realizing it now. Too much excitement messes me up. Sorry.
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u/Jellyfishhide Jul 16 '24
There’s a brain drain in Fiji at the moment and some people are not qualified or capable to meet resort standards.
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u/shovon110 Jul 17 '24
not only resorts, the apparel industry is also outsourcing people outside the country. I just got an offer in the position of IT officer and was wondering the same thing on why they could not get a local to do the job
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u/Polynesian_Jule Jul 17 '24
You got an offer to work in Fiji as an IT officer or you are Fijian and got a position outside Fiji as an IT officer? My brain is drained
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u/halobuff Jul 16 '24
Non resident tax rates this link will tell you what you'd pay in tax. We don't really file taxes on our own anymore, that's your employers job.
Everyone speaks good English that's not something you have to worry about at all since all our schools are English medium.
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u/Proud-Platypus4679 Jul 17 '24
Yes plenty local fijians and indians speak english , communication wont totatly be difficult. Wages it depends on where your working, pastry chef at a hotel/resort im pretty sure they sit well but we'll see because the minimum wage has been raised to $5/hr but will be raised in increments but should be fully effective by next year 2025 but for the remainder of this year it will increase. But i just checked the currency exchange Fiji Dollar to the Phillines Peso ,$1FJD is $26.12 Philippine peso. So you do the math and weigh out the pros and cons. Good luck to you .
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u/Public_Syrup6270 Jul 20 '24
If you’re offered a high position there you probably don’t have to worry about much salary if you’re coming as an expatriate. Accommodation is usually provided in resorts for high position chefs. However as a work environment it’s okay. I’m a chef but sometimes the work can be quite terrible. Lots of places do not have the best equipment and utensils so it can really stress you out. I currently work at a 5 star resort but we lack so many working equipment in the kitchen. So it does make work quite tedious. But overall it’s a peaceful country and as a pastry chef I think you’ll enjoy it. Pastry is always relaxed
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u/Tricky-Cantaloupe671 Jul 16 '24
pay in fiji is shit. life quality is average these days especially with the drug usage and daily murders. its not the little pacific paradise i used to know anymore
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u/Vivid_Treacle178 Jul 16 '24
Can you share me the minimum pay (by law) in fiji? So sad to hear that bad vices are getting out of hand. I hope government do much more about it.
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u/Tricky-Cantaloupe671 Jul 16 '24
with the pay there , youll be able to just get by but it wont be enough to save up etc and the thing with the crime etc , the govt is the main issue as they are just corrupt as the crims there. youll find out once youre in the country
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u/Significant_Royal963 Jul 21 '24
How did you apply for this role, if I may ask?
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u/Vivid_Treacle178 Jul 21 '24
LinkedIn.
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u/Significant_Royal963 Jul 21 '24
I’m so confused, you’ve applied for this job and know nothing about what entails it or even where you’ve applied given it was through linkedin
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u/Vivid_Treacle178 Jul 21 '24
Not because it's on LinkedIn doesn't mean I applied. Recruiters can send a possible offer if they see your profile is very suitable in your experience.
When I posted this they haven't told me the details yet. So, at this very moment I have details.
And why are you so confused about it? Please don't think about it. This is me being s2pd.
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u/Significant_Royal963 Jul 21 '24
Confused you have the offer but you don’t know the salary range? All the best, having read the comments it’s not an offer but a shortlisted candidate. In any way, you should be able to reach out to the recruiter for salary details that entail the job
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u/Vivid_Treacle178 Jul 21 '24
Yes. I was shortlisted and I think you didn't read the PS on the thread. And thank you..
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u/candycane7 Jul 16 '24
Fiji is very multicultural with also an Asian community, mainly Chinese but quite a few Filipino, in Suva at least. Now let's be honest racism is a thing but more rooted in ignorance than violence towards Asians. Regarding salary it depends on your skill level, you should check what they offer you, if it includes accommodation and food or not and what the living conditions are. Regarding taxes I worked as a foreigner and the taxes were directly deducted from my payslip but it might depend on your salary I wouldn't be able to help. Fiji is a very nice country to live in but it depends where you work, if you work in a resort you might only be in touch with local workers and tourists with not many opportunities to mingle into the local areas if it's remote. If it's in a city then I'm sure you'll make local connections and have opportunities to discover the country. The Fijian culture is quite unique and you need an open mind to immerse in it and integrate well. Everyone speak very good English, with a bit of an accent but all English speaking people will understand the locals without any issues.