The Minister for Employment, Agni Deo Singh, stated that the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) missed two meetings of the Employment Relations Advisory Board (ERAB) this year. Singh addressed FCEF’s concerns regarding proposed penalties of $500,000 or up to 20 years in prison, noting that such issues should have been discussed during the ERAB meetings.
He shared that FCEF was invited to the second ERAB meeting on September 24 but requested a postponement. Following this, FCEF was asked to submit written comments by September 27, but no submissions were received. Singh pointed out that this was the second time FCEF did not provide feedback, referencing a previous opportunity in August.
FCEF has been given another invitation to meet with the ministry on October 21, 2024. The Minister emphasized that the ongoing review process aligns with the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 144, aiming for a transparent collaboration with tripartite partners to address the interests of all stakeholders.
He mentioned that formal tripartite consultations began in February 2023, allowing ample time for all parties to contribute their perspectives. The ministry is collaborating with ILO legal drafters to ensure that all inputs from tripartite members are considered fairly.
As of now, inquiries sent to FCEF regarding their absence from the ERAB meetings have not yet received a response.