The Fiji Labour Party has urged the government to take the concerns raised by the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation and the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association regarding the proposed amendments to the Employment Relations Act seriously.
Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhary emphasized that this is not the appropriate moment for the government to introduce harsh laws reminiscent of previous administrations. He criticized the proposed penalties, which include fines of up to $500,000 and imprisonment for as long as 20 years, suggesting they are excessively punitive, particularly for medium and small businesses.
Chaudhary highlighted the importance of fostering business and investor confidence as essential for economic development and job creation, arguing that imposing severe penalties on employers will not contribute positively to this goal.
He identified the Ministry of Labour as the root of the issue, asserting that although trade unions aim to put an end to worker exploitation previously seen under earlier governance, retaliating against employers is not a constructive approach and could hinder worker welfare instead.
Furthermore, Chaudhary expressed concerns about the proposed amendments granting Labour officers excessive powers, including the ability to shut down a company’s operations, warning that such authority could lead to potential abuse and corruption.
He also criticized the lack of transparency during the drafting process of these amendments. Chaudhary questioned why the amendments were created in secrecy, stating that there should have been an open and consultative process that included employers’ perspectives. He noted that employers were required to sign non-disclosure agreements just to review the proposed changes.
He concluded by saying that the previous government’s strategy of suppressing unions and democratic organizations was aimed at maintaining control, while the Coalition had promised a more inclusive governance approach.