The Fiji Labour Party is urging the government to seriously consider the concerns raised by the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation and the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association regarding the proposed amendments to the Employment Relations Act.
Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhary emphasized that now is not the time for harsh laws reminiscent of the previous Fiji First government’s approach. He criticized the proposal of fines reaching up to $500,000 and prison sentences of up to 20 years, calling these measures excessively punitive, particularly for small to medium-sized businesses.
Chaudhary highlighted the importance of fostering business and investor confidence as essential to driving economic growth and job creation, arguing that imposing stringent laws could deter employers instead of supporting them.
He pointed to the Ministry of Labour as the source of the issues and remarked that while trade unions seek to end worker exploitation, retaliatory measures against employers would not benefit the workforce and could even be counterproductive.
Chaudhary expressed concern over the proposed amendments granting Labour officers excessive powers, including the ability to shut down businesses, warning that these could lead to potential abuse and corruption.
He was also critical of the lack of transparency in the drafting process of the amendments, questioning the necessity for secrecy and suggesting that an open and collaborative approach involving employers would have been more appropriate. He claimed that the Labour Ministry instituted a non-disclosure agreement, preventing employers from sharing the proposed changes publicly, which he deemed unacceptable.
Chaudhary remarked that the previous government’s strategy involved suppressing unions and democratic organizations, whereas the Coalition has promised a more inclusive governing approach.