THE Fijian Government is taking solid steps to ensure people with disabilities are included in the workforce.
Speaking at the opening of a workshop reviewing the gaps and challenges in enforcing labour laws for people with disabilities, the deputy secretary at the Ministry of Employment, Atish Kumar, said there are ongoing efforts to strengthen labor laws and operational plans.
“We have included this as part of our programs in terms of labor enforcement and inspection, but we still see there are gaps within,” Mr Kumar said while speaking at the ‘Promoting and ensuring the labor rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the world of work in Fiji’ workshop at the Novotel Lami yesterday.
The ministry is aligning its policies with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ensuring the right to work, equal pay, and a decent working environment.
“This workshop is more than just a meeting. It is a vital step in transforming commitment into concrete actions.”
The government is also focusing on data collection and training to understand and support employees with disabilities.
“We must ensure that we work towards gathering our facts and figures so that we are able to understand the difficulties our people face and how we are going to help them in terms of a decent working environment.”
Mr Kumar stressed the importance of collaboration, noting that the tripartite structure of government, employers, and workers is uniquely positioned to drive change.
“We must work together. The government agencies implement and enforce disability-inclusive laws, policies, and procedures in place.”
The two-day workshop is expected to generate actionable recommendations to create a truly inclusive Fijian workforce.
