Fiji is set to reinstate a three-day family care leave if Parliament approves the amended Employment Relations Act of 2007. Public consultations are currently being conducted throughout the country by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations. The initial provision allowed for five days of family care leave, but the proposed amendment suggests a reduction to three days.

This legislative review aims to ensure that employees can provide care for an immediate family member who is incapacitated due to illness, injury, or medical conditions. Importantly, the new bill removes the term “household” from the previous law, narrowing the focus solely to immediate family members.

The background to this amendment is significant, as previously, during the COVID-19 pandemic, family care leave was reduced drastically from five days to just one day on August 1, 2021. The return to three days is seen as a step in the right direction towards promoting workers’ rights and supporting family needs during critical times.

In the context of broader social issues in Fiji, the discussion around family care leave coincides with ongoing concerns about children’s welfare, particularly the rising number of children in residential care homes due to family neglect or abuse. Recent legislation efforts like the Childcare and Protection Bill 2024 emphasize the importance of preserving family units and supporting family-based care solutions.

The potential return of family care leave, therefore, offers a positive outlook for families needing support, echoing the sentiments from Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Ms. Tabuya, regarding the need for protective measures that prioritize family welfare.

Overall, these proposed changes illustrate a reassuring commitment by the Fijian government to enhance family support mechanisms, signaling a hopeful message for both workers and vulnerable populations within the community.