The Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF) has expressed significant concerns regarding the upcoming public consultations for the Employment Relations Act 2007 and the Work Care Bill 2024, which are set to take place from January 8 to 17, 2025. The FCEF has pointed out that the limited time frame for submissions, coupled with the unavailability of the draft Bills, renders the consultations impractical.
FCEF’s Chief Executive Officer, Edward Bernard, has called on the Ministry of Employment to postpone these consultations to February 2025. He emphasizes the need for the draft Bills to be made available to enable both businesses and workers adequate time to prepare and engage meaningfully in the discussions. Furthermore, he criticized the allocation of only three hours for each city and town, suggesting this is insufficient to ensure robust representation from all stakeholders.
Bernard also raised alarms over the process surrounding the Work Care Bill 2024, noting that it has not been reviewed by the Employment Relations Advisory Board (ERAB). He suggests that the Bill should be withdrawn until adequate consultations with stakeholders can be conducted.
This situation highlights a critical moment for stakeholders in Fiji’s employment landscape. Ensuring that consultations are thorough and inclusive could lead to more effective and beneficial regulations for both employers and employees. By advocating for additional time and transparency, FCEF aims to foster a more collaborative approach to shaping these significant pieces of legislation.
The hope here is that an extension will lead to a more engaged dialogue, where the voices of all parties can be heard, ultimately resulting in laws that better reflect the needs and realities of Fijian businesses and their workers.
Leave a comment