The Fiji Trade Union Congress (FTUC) has expressed surprise at a recent statement from the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) and the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) concerning the proposed changes to the Employment Relations Act (ERA).
Since 2012, the FTUC and FCEF have participated in the review of labor laws, agreeing on the need for these laws to align with International Labour Organization (ILO) core standards and to address issues highlighted in ILO Committee of Experts Reports. National Secretary Felix Anthony noted that the previous government had assured the ILO of full compliance with these standards, a commitment that the Coalition Government also made during its election campaign.
Anthony stated that the FTUC had provided a list of concerns contributing to industrial strife, while employers did not raise any specific issues. He emphasized that thorough discussions took place over numerous meetings, which highlighted the need for a swift conclusion to the review process. Following the election of the new government, these meetings became more frequent, leading to the completion of the review. While over eighty percent of issues reached consensus, some points remained contentious, particularly regarding penalties, which the FTUC believes should deter employers from violating the law.
The FTUC has noted that the government shared a draft of the proposed amendments with both the employers and the FTUC for feedback. The FTUC claims to have responded with comments, while the employers did not provide any input. A meeting of the Employment Relations Advisory Board (ERAB) was attempted by the government, but the employers indicated they could not attend until the end of the month, which the FTUC sees as an effort to delay the process.
Anthony criticized the FCEF for its opposition to the proposed changes, arguing that the previous government provided significant benefits to employers at the expense of workers and trade unions. He dismissed the concerns raised by employers about potential economic impacts and job losses as unfounded and outdated.
The FTUC further condemned wage theft by some employers and called for equal application of laws for all business sizes. They criticized FCEF members for attempting to shield larger employers by invoking concerns about smaller businesses.
Lastly, the FTUC urged the government to fulfill its commitments to the workers of Fiji and adhere to ILO standards without further delays, emphasizing the need to hold accountable those who do not comply with the law.