THE proposed amendments to the Employment Relations Act will make it more difficult for unions to call for a strike, says Construction Energy and Timber Workers Union national secretary John Paul.
Mr Paul was responding to the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation’s claims that the proposed amendments would introduce major changes favouring unions in relation to the right to strike.
“The right to strike is a fundamental right of every worker enshrined in the historic International Labour Organization Conventions ratified by the Fiji Government many years ago,” he said.
“The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation is misleading the public and the relevant committee by suggesting that the proposed Employment Relations Amendment introduces major changes favouring unions in relation to the right to strike.
“On the contrary, the proposed amendments will in fact make it more difficult for unions to call a strike.
“Currently, the Employment Relations Tribunal does not have the jurisdiction to adjudicate disputes relating to collective agreements or logs of claims that extend beyond the minimum standards set by the law.”
He said the draft amendments would address concerns the parties seek to achieve in the future.
“The proposed amendment will allow the tribunal to decide on disputes of interest which refers to disagreements about the creation of new terms and conditions of employment, in other words, issues that concerns what the parties seek to achieve in the future rather than what is already established.
“This change will reduce the likelihood of strikes as it provides unions with a lawful avenue to seek third party determination through the tribunal.
“While this amendment may help minimise industrial unrest, the right to strike remains a fundamental democratic and international labour right — one that is protected by ILO Conventions and recognised in democracies around the world.
“It is a right that unions will never compromise.”
