The Association of Banks in Fiji says they strongly support the call by Fiji Commerce Employers Federation that more time should be allowed for submissions on the proposed amendments to the Employment Relations Act and Work Care Bill before it is finalised and submitted to Cabinet and Parliament.
ABIF Deputy Chair Shane Smith says they represent some of Fiji’s biggest employers and believe that a modernisation of Fiji’s labour laws is overdue.
He says however, the current proposals reflect only the concerns of a very few stakeholders and it does not reflect the needs of all employers and workers and do not address the needs of modern workplaces.
Smith says the proposed amendments, which include strict liability criminal offences for matters that are already well regulated, with maximum penalties of up to $500,000 will raise the risk of doing business in Fiji to unacceptable levels.
The Deputy Chair says other amendments will increase the cost of doing business in Fiji and introduce standards above what is offered in Australia and New Zealand, adversely affecting Fiji’s attractiveness to investors.
He says Government’s own costs and efficiency are also likely to be adversely impacted.
They have requested the Ministry of Employment to allow more opportunity for all employers, trade unions and workers to make submissions on ways that the laws can be modernised to respect both workers’ and employers’ rights, whilst promoting national productivity and economic growth.
The Ministry of Employment had extended the submission deadline from Monday to yesterday.
Minister Agni Deo Singh had earlier said that employers will get another chance to make submissions during the second round of public consultations after it is tabled in Parliament for the first reading.
We have sent further questions to Singh.
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