FTUC pushes for police act reforms to safeguard rights, neutrality
The Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) has submitted a detailed set of proposals to the Review Team tasked with modernising the Fiji Police Act 1965. The aims are clear: stronger protections for police officers’ rights, improved working conditions, and explicit guarantees of political neutrality within the force. FTUC National Secretary Felix Anthony met with the review panel yesterday at Suvavou House in Suva to press the case.
Key points in the FTUC submission include:
– The right to representation for police officers, with emphasis on ILO Conventions 87 and 98, which Fiji has ratified. “Every worker, including police officers, has the right to freedom of association and to organise. This should be reflected in the Act,” Anthony said.
– Access to natural justice in disciplinary procedures, ensuring fair processes not only for uniformed officers but also for lower-ranking staff, administrative and accounts personnel who are often outside existing protections.
– End the five-year re-enlistment cycle, which FTUC argues creates job insecurity and misinterprets long service as re-engagement rather than continuous employment.
– Establish a collective bargaining mechanism for police officers.
– Guarantee the police force’s independence and neutrality, with a clear prohibition on political interference in police operations. “The police force must be independent and neutral,” Anthony stated. “We want the new legislation to clearly reflect that political interference has no place in police operations.”
Context and potential impact
– The FTUC has been actively pushing for labour law reforms aligned with International Labour Organization (ILO) standards, a theme echoed in related discussions over the Employment Relations Act and broader workplace protections. The ongoing advocacy emphasizes enforcement and accountability to ensure laws translate into real improvements for workers.
– By advocating for representation, fair disciplinary safeguards, and independent policing, the FTUC’s proposals could influence future legislation beyond the police act, signaling a broader push to strengthen workers’ rights and ensure impartial enforcement across Fiji’s public services.
Outlook
If adopted, the FTUC proposals could enhance transparency and fairness within the police service, bolster trust between officers and the public, and reinforce a neutral, non-political policing culture. The emphasis on collective bargaining and improved representation also aligns with a broader movement toward stronger labour standards in Fiji, potentially fostering a more balanced relationship between workers and employers while maintaining essential public safety obligations.
Summary
The FTUC is advancing a rights- and neutrality-focused reform package for the Fiji Police Act 1965, arguing that representation, fair disciplinary processes, longer-term employment security, and clear political neutrality are essential for a professional and accountable police service. The move fits within the FTUC’s broader agenda of aligning Fiji’s laws with ILO standards and strengthening enforcement of workers’ rights.
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