Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh says the Fijian Government is working towards the re-establishment of tripartite wages councils to determine the minimum wages for different sectors of the economy.
While addressing the 111th plenary session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Singh says they know this will be welcomed by the workers and the industry-based councils will work on a tripartite basis with representatives from Government, unions and employers.
He says their main goal would be to determine a decent minimum wage for the different sectors.
Singh adds that Fiji is resolved to working closely with the ILO and its tripartite constituents to achieve decent work for all.
Speaking on the experience of labour mobility, the Minister says Fiji values its people and their rights as enshrined under the Constitution and also the ILO Conventions ratified by Fiji.
He says a crucial issue that Fiji faces is the phenomenon of labour mobility, which entails both opportunities and risks.
Singh says while it benefits workers, it also causes brain drain and loss of skilled labour.
He says they are concerned that these can hamper Fiji’s development, social cohesion, and national identity.
He adds the Fijian Government is committed to balancing labour mobility and its impacts.
The Minister says they are implementing policies and programmes to retain and attract skilled workers, enhance their employability and productivity, and ensure their protection and welfare.
Singh says they are closely working with Fiji’s tripartite partners and stakeholders in those endeavours.
Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation CEO Kameli Batiweti and Fiji Trades Union Congress National Secretary Felix Anthony were part of the Fijian delegation with the Minister to the International Labour Conference.
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