The Fiji Court of Appeal has ruled the Employment Relations Court was correct to order PA Lal Coachwork pay its former company secretary $52,976 for unlawful dismissal.
Mohini Lata was employed by PA Lal Coachwork from February 1993 until September 9, 2015, when a termination letter was delivered to her while she was on leave.
“The appellant (PA Lal Coachwork) submitted in its submissions before this court that notwithstanding the lack of specificity in the termination letter, the respondent had been given the right to be heard at various meetings with the appellant and that the judge had erred in law and fact in failing to take this into account in reaching her decision,” said Justice Walton Morgan in his May 30 ruling.
“This is not correct. The judge in her judgment did address the meetings and considered the evidence in respect of the same.
“She concluded that from the evidence it was unclear what the specific reasons were for her termination.
“I agree with that finding.”
PA Lal Coachwork was ordered to pay 4 per cent interest on the judgment sum of $52,976 from November 27, 2020, to May 30, 2024, and $3000 in costs to Ms Lata.
