The Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF) has expressed significant concerns regarding the scheduled nationwide public consultations for the Employment Relations Act 2007 and the Work Care Bill 2024, set to take place between January 8 and January 17, 2025. FCEF emphasizes that the condensed timeline for submissions and the unavailability of the draft Bills hinder meaningful participation in the discussions.
FCEF CEO Edward Bernard has called on the Ministry of Employment to postpone the consultations until February 2025 and to make the draft Bills accessible prior to the consultations. He argues that the current allocation of merely three hours for each city and town is inadequate for robust representation and discourse.
Bernard further criticized the Work Care Bill 2024 for not being deliberated upon by the Employment Relations Advisory Board (ERAB), recommending its withdrawal until further stakeholder engagement occurs.
This situation highlights the importance of thorough consultation processes in shaping employment legislation. By advocating for more time and transparency, FCEF is ensuring that both businesses and workers have the opportunity to engage meaningfully with policies that directly affect their livelihoods.
In the long run, a thoughtful and inclusive approach to these consultations could lead to more effective and fair regulation, benefiting all parties involved.
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