The Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF) has said it will take its fight against the Employment Relations Bill directly to the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
This is after the Bill was introduced in Parliament yesterday despite FCEF asking the Minister for Employment, Productivity & Industrial Relations, Agni Deo Singh to send the draft law back to Employment Relations Advisory Board (ERAB).
“In April, we clearly communicated our position to the Minister. The draft Bill still contains numerous provisions that could severely affect employment opportunities, business sustainability, investor confidence, and overall economic growth,” said FCEF CEO Edward Bernard.
FCEF raised concerns about the consultation process, stating that only one meeting of the Employment Relations Advisory Board (ERAB) took place on 5 March 2025 after public consultations concluded.
“On 20 March, we received the 188-page Bill, and we understand it was then sent to the Solicitor-General’s Office for review,” he said.
“Now, four and a half months later, we see it tabled in Parliament.”
Mr Bernard added that FCEF had requested the Bill be returned to ERAB after the Solicitor-General’s review so that all stakeholders could be fully informed before it progressed to Parliament.
“Unfortunately, this is a big blind spot for us,” he noted. “We will now make our submissions directly to the Parliamentary Standing Committee.”