The draft Employment Relations Bill was not developed with the full agreement of all parties involved, says Standing Committee on Economic Affairs deputy chair Premila Kumar.
Speaking at consultation on the draft Bill in the Northern Division, Ms Kumar said the agreement among key stakeholders was not fully reached.
“This Bill was not developed with full agreement,” she said.
She said the draft Bill was developed through a tripartite consultation process and the Government under the framework of the Employment Relations Advisory Board.
“Not all the parties were happy and said, ‘yes, this is what we want’ but the process, including the disagreements, has been captured in the documentation.”
She said that while the three parties met several times to go through the Bill’s provisions, disagreements emerged, prompting a walkout during one of the meetings.
“A roundtable was held again in November 2024 where all parties returned to the table.
“Some positions were refined further, but certain areas where no agreement could be reached were left open for further negotiation.”
She said the Employment Ministry undertook additional consultations across the country.
Mr Kumar said according to ministry data, 141 written submissions were received and 748 people attended the public consultations.
However, she was shocked to learn that no one who fronted the standing committee in Savusavu and Labasa attended the consolation, which was organised by the Ministry last week.
She said the public still had a say in the amendment before November 17.
