WITH only a few days left before the Tripartite Mission to Fiji next week, the International Labour Organization has reaffirmed its position on Government’s amendment of the Employment Relations Promulgation (ERP) legislation.
A report released by the ILO on January 11 highlighted 14 concerns about the ERP amendments.
These included the non-compliance of the Tripartite Agreement, the assault of Fiji Trades Union Congress national secretary Felix Anthony, cases against Daniel Urai remain pending, the use of bargaining units to undermine trade unions, the denial of prison officers the right to form and join unions, nomination of representatives in the Employment Relations Advisory Board (ERAB) and the reinstatement of disputes terminated under the Essential National Industries Decree.
In a statement, Mr Anthony said all of those issues were raised by FTUC with tripartite partners — Government and the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF).
“Government failed to act,” he said.
“This report is a sad indictment of Government’s insincerity and bad faith. It reaffirms the FTUC position that much more needs to be done to ensure compliance.
“The report does not examine the serious issue of practice.”
Mr Anthony said compliance with ILO’s core conventions were not only that legislation be in order but also that workers were able to practise what the law provided.
“This is clearly not the case today. The committee of experts has reiterated its call to Government to work with the tripartite partners to review all these provisions and make amendments.
“The report puts matters in the right perspective and should assist the tripartite mission visiting Fiji next week in its work.”
He added the report compiled by the tripartite mission would be presented to the ILO’s Governing Body in March for a decision on a commission of inquiry.
Labour Minister Semi Koroilavesau referred queries from this newspaper to ERAB.
He said he was not privy to the minutes of discussions held on Wednesday.
