The Chairperson of the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (FHRADC), Pravesh Sharma, has emphasized the importance of respecting the rights of the Grace Road Group (GRG). In a discussion with The Lens@177, Sharma raised concerns about how the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations (MEPWR) is handling the situation with GRG, specifically pointing to the ministry’s recent claim of operational “breaches” within the group.
Sharma believes that the ministry’s approach might not align with fair treatment standards, suggesting they should have allowed Grace Road an opportunity to address and correct any alleged violations before making public accusations. He noted that the ministry has taken a strong stance by publicly declaring breaches without prior communication with the company to resolve the issues.
Moreover, he questioned whether the same scrutiny and procedures would be applied to local employers, drawing attention to the treatment of other workers, including migrant workers from Bangladesh who have faced difficulties. This raises broader concerns about consistency in regulatory practices across different companies in Fiji.
Grace Road has publicly indicated that they employ around 800 workers in Fiji and have expressed their willingness to cooperate with the ministry to alleviate any public concerns regarding their operations.
In summary, the ongoing dialogue about the Ministry of Employment’s actions reflects a critical examination of equal treatment and due process in labor relations in Fiji. As this situation unfolds, there is a hopeful possibility that it will lead to improvements in workplace regulations and enhance communication between employers and the ministry, ultimately fostering a more equitable labor environment.
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