Semi Koroilavesau, a member of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, has highlighted a significant disconnect between discussions held at the Employment Relations Advisory Board and the contents of the draft Employment Relations Bill. Speaking during a committee hearing yesterday, Koroilavesau noted that consultations with various institutions and government agencies indicated a general agreement on the concerns raised about the bill, many of which were already understood by officials.
“There seems to be a gap between the discussions that took place at the Employment Relations Advisory Board and what appeared in the document that we have,” he stated. The committee has actively engaged in extensive consultations with several ministries, including the Ministry of Employment, the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Finance, and the Public Service Commission. Koroilavesau described the bill as being more complex than initially anticipated.
Recent discussions, he mentioned, reaffirmed that the issues brought up by companies and institutions were acknowledged by government agencies but were lacking adequate representation in the draft legislation. To address this gap, the committee is focused on ensuring that all stakeholder perspectives are considered and included in the final version of the bill that will be presented to Parliament.
“Our goal is to ensure that every agency and all concerned parties are adequately reflected in the final Bill,” he emphasized. The Standing Committee on Economic Affairs is continuing to receive submissions as part of its review process for the Employment Relations Bill, indicating a commitment to creating a comprehensive and inclusive legislative framework. This proactive approach reflects a hope to align the bill more closely with stakeholder expectations, ultimately fostering a more equitable work environment.
Leave a comment