AS a constituent of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF) is celebrating ILO’s 50 years in the Pacific.
The ILO is the only tripartite and technical agency of the United Nations (UN) with the Government, Workers Organisation and Workers Organisations as its tripartite constituents.
The Government is represented by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations while the employers are represented by the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) and the workers are represented by the Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC).
Since its establishment in 1919, the ILO has worked with its tripartite constituents in 187 Member
States to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
The ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries geographically covers 11 Pacific Member.
Since Fiji became a member of the ILO in 1974, FCEF as the most representative and recognised national employer/private sector organisation, has had the privileged and direct access to the ILO.
Like all Employers & Business Membership Organizations (EBMO), FCEF receives direct support through ILO’s Bureau for Employers Activities (ACTEMP).
FCEF has received technical assistance from the ILO in specific areas (but not limited to) such as:
– Enhancing organisational capacities to support FCEF membership;
– Engaging in and contributing to high level policy forums at regional and international level;
– Developing employer positions on Labour Laws and Employment Policies;
– Guidance on minimum wage and wage setting mechanisms;
– Promoting entrepreneurship and enterprise development and,
– Supporting crisis assessment and recovery, including COVID-19.
As a constituent of the ILO and Fiji ratifying ILO conventions, FCEF is a member of national tripartite bodies, such as the:
– Employment Relations Advisory Board (ERAB)
– National Occupational Heath & Safety Board (NOSHAB) and the
– National Employment Centre (NEC) Board, and,
– 10 Wages Councils.
The International Labour Conference (ILC) sets international labour standards and the broad policies of the ILO. It meets annually in Geneva.
Often called an international parliament of labour, the Conference is also a forum for discussion of key social and labour issues.
FCEF as a constituent of the ILO has an obligation to attend the ILC and the privilege of contributing to and voting on international labour standards and policies and the ILO biennium budget.
Through the vote of other constituents and member countries, FCEF is eligible to be a member of the ILO Governing Body.
This affiliation amplifies FCEF’s advocacy and lobbying for its membership and the private sector at international and regional platforms.
By virtue of being a member of the ILO and links with ACTEMP, FCEF is also a member of the International Organizations of Employers (IOE).
The IOE is the largest network of the private sector in the world, with more than 150 business and employer organisation members.
At the 50 years celebration in Nadi last week, the FCEF President, Vinay Narsey acknowledged ILO’s milestone achievement and paid tribute to the legacy left by colleagues that have passed on and were still present.
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Note: This article was first published under the headline: Celebrating 50 years of tripartism, social dialogue in Page 15 of the print version of The Fiji Times dated Wednesday, September 10, 2025
