The Fiji National Provident Fund has recovered around $2.8 million in outstanding legacy contribution debt, with nearly $917,000 recovered since the launch of its 2026 Amnesty Campaign in May.

FNPF General Manager – Member Services, Alipate Waqairawai, says the recovery is part of the Fund’s efforts to ensure money owed to workers is ultimately credited to their retirement savings accounts.

The Amnesty Campaign was launched on May 15 and provides employers with outstanding contribution debts an opportunity to settle their obligations while benefiting from a 100 percent waiver of applicable penalties, subject to the approved terms and conditions.

Waqairawai says the Fund identified $10.8 million in legacy contribution debt at the commencement of the campaign.

Of this, about $4.8 million is owed in relation to active employees, while approximately $6 million is associated with inactive employees.

He says the $917,000 recovered during the amnesty period forms part of the overall $2.8 million recovered through the Fund’s debt recovery efforts.

This leaves about $8 million in the original legacy debt still outstanding.

Waqairawai says the debts have accumulated over many years, with some cases dating back to 1995.

He says a significant portion involves businesses that have ceased operating, been liquidated, are under winding-up proceedings, or where a sole proprietor has died.

The Fund has also identified 1,292 employers that are no longer operating, with approximately $5.99 million in associated contribution debt.

Waqairawai says while recovering money from such cases is challenging, FNPF continues to pursue recovery where possible.

He is now urging employers who still have outstanding obligations to use the amnesty rather than wait for enforcement action.

“We don’t want to use the powers that we have, which are strong powers under FNPF, to recover money. We want to resolve it in an amicable, conciliatory approach that is a win-win for all parties.”

Under the amnesty, employers with outstanding contribution schedule debt must settle the contribution debt and applicable loss of interest. Employers with unsubmitted contribution schedules can upload the schedules and settle the outstanding amounts, while those with penalties only must settle the applicable loss of interest.

Waqairawai says once the required conditions are met, employers can receive a 100 percent waiver of penalties.

The Fund says its priority remains recovering the underlying contributions because these are funds that should ultimately benefit workers.

The amnesty is scheduled to run until October 31, 2026, and Waqairawai is encouraging employers, including businesses, school committees and sole proprietors, to come forward and make arrangements with FNPF.

He says employers can also discuss payment arrangements with the Fund, including lump-sum payments or approved time-payment arrangements, provided the requirements are met within the campaign period.

Waqairawai says the message to employers is simple, and that is to come forward, resolve the outstanding debt, and ensure workers receive the retirement savings they are owed.