Govt to proceed with Employment Relations Bill despite FCEF rejection

The Government is expected to table the Employment Relations Bill in June despite it being rejected by the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation.

The Federation declined to endorse the draft Employment Relations Bill in its current form, citing inadequate consultation and significant concerns with the content.

They say only one Employment Relations Advisory Board meeting was held after public consultations closed, and key documents were received too late for meaningful review.

FCEF says the draft retains problematic provisions that threaten business sustainability and investor confidence, such as absolute liability, excessive fines, unclear definitions, and disproportionate powers for labour officers.

FCEF also criticised the lack of modernisation and failure to consider economic realities.

While responding to questions by fijivillage News, Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh says they are not here on a pleasing exercise, they are here to see that the law is balanced and fair and that is exactly what they are doing.

He says they have gone through the entire process and have reported in the media time and again on the progress on the exhaustive consultation.

Singh says the draft has gone through cabinet and the legislative sub-committee of cabinet and it is now with the Solicitor General's Office.

He says after this, it will go to Parliament in the June session.

Singh says as far as the government is concerned, they have done their consultation - there are issues the employers and employees have and whenever there is a difference, it is the government's call.

While responding to fijivillage News, Federation CEO Edward Bernard says with their decision not to endorse the draft Bill, they have also highlighted in writing to the Minister the major issues in the substance of the draft that is not balanced and fair.

He says it is the role of the tripartite to collectively perform the balancing act.

Bernard says it will also be good to get the views of other government representatives on ERAB, such as the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Trade.

The CEO says the government is the largest employer and the draft Bill will also impact all Permanent Secretaries.

Bernard says they hope the issues they have highlighted have been, in good faith, conveyed by the Ministry to the and the Solicitor General's Office and cabinet sub committee.

Further questions have been sent to the Minister.