Employers in Savusavu, located on Vanua Levu, have raised concerns regarding provisions related to public holiday pay outlined in the proposed Employment Relations (Amendment) Bill. This feedback emerged during public consultation sessions conducted by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Workplace Relations over the weekend.
The proposed bill suggests that employees working on public holidays will receive double pay as well as an additional day off, which employers fear could negatively affect their business sustainability. Concerns center on the potential for employees to exploit this benefit, leading to operational challenges.
As a response, the Ministry has clarified that these proposals are still open for discussion and that public input is welcomed through consultations or written submissions.
In addition to the public holiday provisions, the bill also suggests increasing annual leave from ten to twelve days and reintroducing family care leave. Previously, workers had access to five days of family care leave, which was reduced to one day during the pandemic. The proposed amendments aim to restore this allowance to three days, allowing employees to take time off to care for immediate family members who are unwell.
The bill also includes new definitions for foreign workers, seafarers, and fishermen, and introduces provisions concerning seafarers’ working conditions, such as hours of work and paid leave. Furthermore, it seeks to enhance the powers of labor inspectors to ensure compliance through notice issuance and fixed penalties.
The public consultations are ongoing, moving through various regions, including Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, and will soon proceed to Nausori, Suva, and Navua. There is hope that through these discussions, a balanced approach can be established that supports the rights of workers while addressing the needs of employers, fostering a more sustainable economic environment in Fiji.
This development represents a critical opportunity for dialogue, showing a mutual desire to balance employee welfare with business operations, ultimately aiming for beneficial reforms that will enhance the overall labor landscape in Fiji.
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