The Finance Sector Managerial Staff Association (FSMSA) has urged for more robust enforcement mechanisms and stricter penalties for employers who exploit workers during the Parliamentary consultation regarding the Employment Relations (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Lautoka last week. National Secretary Sailesh Naidu stressed that the proposed reforms are essential and timely, aimed at enhancing accountability and fairness within Fiji’s labor market.
Naidu, representing multiple trade unions, highlighted persistent issues within the hotel industry, specifically relating to unlawful deductions from workers’ wages. He noted that employees face excessive charges—$4 daily for transportation, $35 for T-shirts, and up to $300 for worn-out diving gear—qualifying these practices as exploitation and wage theft. He insisted that Labor Officers should have the authority to issue compliance notices directly to employers to address these infringements effectively.
Asserting the need for immediate intervention, Naidu remarked on the current inefficiencies in enforcement, claiming that present regulations prevent swift action against violators. The FSMSA also endorsed amendments to expand the jurisdiction of the Employment Relations Tribunal, allowing it to tackle wage claims and disputes of interest. This move, according to Naidu, could diminish the frequency of strike actions and foster greater industrial harmony.
Additionally, Naidu criticized short-term employment contracts, describing them as coercive mechanisms that jeopardize workers’ job security and livelihoods. He backed amendments aimed at restoring the Employment Relations Court’s authority over grievances, particularly following the disruptions caused by a pivotal ruling in the case of Ajendra Sharma v ANZ Bank in 2022.
He reiterated that these proposed changes could significantly bolster fairness, accountability, and stability across Fiji’s employment sector, representing a hopeful direction for the labor market and worker protections in the country.
Echoing sentiments from previous discussions, the need for these legislative modifications has gained traction, as stakeholders express optimism that enhancing compliance and accountability will ultimately secure better working conditions for employees while promoting a moderate regulatory environment that benefits both workers and employers alike.
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