Recent comments by FTUC General Secretary that no consultation was done on the recent amendment to the Health and Safety at Work Regulations 2021, is a total lie - Bala

The Minister for Employment, Parveen Bala says the recent comments made by the National Secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, Felix Anthony that no consultation was done on the recent amendment to the Health and Safety at Work (General Workplace Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2021, is a total lie.

Bala says the National OHS Advisory Board which includes five members of the FTUC was consulted on the 6th July 2021 on the proposal to have the workplace vaccination mandatory.

He says the FTUC’s 5 members voted against the proposed changes that will help save lives and the livelihood for Fijian workers.

Bala says the rest of the board members voted for the proposed amendment.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Trades Union Congress had earlier stated that they were surprised and concerned at the Government’s imposition of the Health and Safety (General Workplace Conditions) Amendment Regulations 2021 without any consultations with the FTUC and Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation.

FTUC General Secretary Felix Anthony had said that it encourages workers to get vaccinated but states categorically that it is wrong to make vaccinations mandatory and a condition of employment.

He says such imposition of conditions of work must be put to the Employment Relations Advisory Board which is tripartite and fully discussed.

Anthony adds its implications must be fully examined and above all, to ensure that the fundamental rights under the Bill of Rights of our Constitution is fully complied with.

He says instead, this Government decided to use the Health and Safety Regulations to impose a new condition of employment, totally disregarding its own laws.