The Suva Retailers Association has urged the Government to publish the contentious proposed amendments to the Employment Relations Act (ERA) for broader public awareness and discussion.
In a show of solidarity, the association backed the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEFG) and the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) in their call for a review of the proposed “harsh elements” of the amendments, emphasizing the importance of addressing employers’ concerns.
SRA President Jitesh Patel highlighted that the proposed fines of up to $500,000 and potential imprisonment of up to 20 years, along with the introduction of mediation services, are alarming for their 150 members and could negatively impact their business outlook.
Patel expressed discontent over the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) implemented by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity & Industrial Relations, which restricts employer members of the Employment Relations Advisory Board (ERAB) from open discussions regarding the amendments.
He pointed out that most SRA members are micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) employing more than 3,500 workers, predominantly women. Additionally, he noted that the retail sector supports numerous other businesses and thousands of workers throughout the city.
The ongoing challenges faced by members include high business operational costs, a shortage of skilled labor, low productivity, and adverse climatic events.
Thus, the SRA is calling on the Government to provide clarity to the retail business community by making the proposed amendments public, allowing for open dialogue with ERAB members. The association also advocates for a return to a tripartite structure to enable transparent negotiations regarding the ERA amendments on behalf of SRA members.