FCEF concerned after Labour Officers intimidate small business owner

The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation is concerned with the alleged intimidation tactics used by the Labour Officers to target a particular member and official of FCEF.

The member, who is also the Chairperson of FCEF’s MSME Council, owns a media/video production company that interviews people and records videos relating to various topics of national interest.

FCEF says last week Labour Officers visited the business of the FCEF member who produced a video in relation to the Employment Relations Bill.

The video has received more than 10,000 views.

FCEF Chief Executive Officer, Edward Bernard says this is very concerning and also a very good reason why FCEF is against the increased powers of Labour Officers in the Employment Relations Bill.

He says out of the 25 plus businesses in the complex, the Labour Officers only targeted one belonging to the FCEF member who produced the video.

According to the FCEF member, the Labour Officers asked about the type of videos the member was producing, then proceeded to ask for employment records such as the wage book.

After being told that all operations were on-line, the Labour Officers requested digital copies of employment contracts and bank statements.

Section 19A of the Employment Relations Bill extends powers of Labour Officers that breach the constitutional protection against unreasonable search and seizure, and the separation of powers.

FCEF says it opposes this change and wants labour officers to be subjected to the same limitations as other law enforcement arms of government.

FCEF is also stressing that such intimidation tactics must stop.

fijivillage News has sought comments from Minister for Employment, Agni Deo Singh.