The proposed penalties outlined in the draft Employment Relations Bill have been criticized as a concerning move towards harsh regulations. Parveen Kumar, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, voiced his disapproval of the Coalition Government’s attempts to revise the Employment Relations Act of 2007.
Mr. Kumar stated, “The imposition of fines up to $500,000 and prison terms of up to 20 years reflects the Coalition Government’s tendency to resort to strong-arm tactics.” He further expressed that the government, which once promised freedom and fairness, is leading Fiji into a restrictive and anti-business climate.
He urged the government to abandon secretive practices, dismiss the facade of freedom, and engage in open dialogue with all stakeholders. Kumar emphasized the need for the voices of the business community, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to be heard.
“This situation transcends legalities; it concerns the livelihoods of countless Fijians. We must focus on fair and balanced solutions that protect workers without jeopardizing businesses,” he explained.
Kumar warned that the Coalition Government is treading a perilous path that could adversely affect Fijians from various backgrounds and insisted that they should be held responsible for the tangible consequences of their decisions.
Former Labour Minister Jone Usamate, when contacted, agreed with Kumar’s statements. Their remarks followed a statement from the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) and the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) regarding the potential impact of significant fines on medium, small, and micro enterprises.