The General Secretary of the National Union of Hospitality, Catering and Tourism Industries Employees, Daniel Urai, has stressed the importance of enacting the Employment Relations Act 2007 and the Work Care Bill 2024, stating that it is long overdue. He noted that public consultations regarding these legislative changes have been ongoing for over ten years, and there is a strong hope that they will finally lead to meaningful legal reforms.

Urai expressed appreciation for the government’s willingness to advance these discussions, emphasizing that broad stakeholder engagement during this process has been beneficial. “We’ve been holding this consultation for what, more than 10 years now. Finally reaching the step where we are hoping that whatever was discussed over the past years will become fruitful and be enacted into law,” he said.

The deadlines for final submissions concerning the proposed bills are set for January 20, with public consultations underway in the Western Division, particularly in Ba, Tavua, and Rakiraki.

However, amidst the optimism for these legislative proposals, concerns have been raised by the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF). Their CEO, Edward Bernard, criticized the limited timeframe for public input scheduled from January 8 to January 17, which he argues is insufficient for comprehensive stakeholder engagement. He urged that these consultations should be postponed to February 2025, allowing all parties to adequately prepare and contribute to discussions.

The FCEF underscores the importance of transparency and inclusivity in this legislative process, with particular attention to the absence of draft bills which hampers effective engagement. Bernard hopes that an extended consultation period will lead to a constructive dialogue that reflects the voices of all stakeholders—including businesses, workers, and the government—aimed at achieving a balanced approach to labor legislation.

In summary, while there is a hopeful momentum towards enacting new labor laws that could benefit both workers and employers, the successful outcome will heavily depend on effective communication and collaboration among all parties involved. The ultimate goal is to create legislation that supports a robust economy in Fiji, fostering an environment conducive to both business growth and enhanced worker protections.