Concerns expressed by the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation along with the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association regarding the proposed changes to the Employment Relations Act should be regarded seriously by the government, according to the Fiji Labour Party.
Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhary emphasized that this is not the right time for the government to introduce severe laws reminiscent of the Fiji First administration, noting that penalties of up to $500,000 and prison sentences of up to 20 years are excessively harsh, particularly for medium and small businesses.
He pointed out the importance of building confidence among businesses and investors, which is essential for fostering economic growth and creating jobs. He argued that imposing strict laws that penalize employers will not achieve this goal.
Chaudhry stated that the root of the issue lies within the Ministry of Labour. While trade unions aim to end the worker exploitation experienced under the Fiji First regime, he warned that retaliating against employers would not benefit workers and could be counterproductive.
He also raised concerns about the powers proposed for Labour officers under the new amendments, such as the authority to shut down a company’s operations, describing them as draconian and potentially leading to misuse and corruption.
Additionally, Chaudhry criticized the lack of transparency during the drafting process of the amendments, questioning the reasons for the secrecy and calling for a more open and consultative approach that involves employers. He noted that the Labour Ministry’s non-disclosure agreement, requiring employers to sign to review proposed amendments, was not conducive to an inclusive governance model.
He concluded by asserting that suppressing unions and other democratic organizations had been a tactic of the Fiji First government to maintain control, while the Coalition had committed to a more inclusive governance style.