The Suva Retailers Association is urging the Government to make public the proposed amendments to the Employment Relations Act (ERA), which have sparked controversy. The association supports the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEFG) and the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) in addressing employers’ concerns regarding the “harsh elements” included in the amendments.
SRA President Jitesh Patel highlighted that the proposed penalties, which could include fines of up to $500,000 and imprisonment for as long as 20 years, are particularly alarming to their 150 members and could negatively affect their business outlook. He also pointed out that the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) imposed by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity & Industrial Relations on employer representatives prevents the SRA from engaging openly with them to discuss the amendments.
Patel noted that a majority of SRA members are micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that employ over 3,500 workers, mostly women. He emphasized the importance of retail businesses and their connection to numerous other businesses, including Government entities, supporting many employees in the city.
He further explained that members are struggling due to high operating costs, a lack of available skills and labor, low productivity, and the effects of climate-related events. As a result, the association is calling on the Government to clarify the proposed amendments so that retail businesses can freely discuss them with Employment Relations Advisory Board (ERAB) members.
The SRA is advocating for a return to a tripartite framework, enabling ERAB members to transparently negotiate the amendments to the ERA on behalf of the SRA.