TRADE unionists could be contesting the 2026 general elections.

This, after Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh said that one of the laws being reviewed by the ministry is the Political Parties Act.

“The Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations is working with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Office of the Attorney-General on the review of the Political Parties Act and the Public Order Act, which is also affecting workers’ rights to organise and freedom of association,” Mr Singh said.

Welcoming the announcement, Fiji Trade Union Congress national president Daniel Urai said they were pleased that the Government was acting on what it had promised.

“I am glad that it is in line with what they have indicated,” Mr Urai said.

“Now that they have done it, it is welcome news for us. At least we are now back to the democratic freedom we once had.”

Mr Urai said the Political Parties Act did not allow trade unionists to take part in national elections.

“It considered us public servants. We had to resign from our posts if we wanted to take part in elections.

“They looked for reasons or excuses for us not to be able to participate.

“Ever since the 2014 elections, we have been stopped from participating in a national election because of that.”

Mr Urai said the review would open the door for unionists.

“You don’t have to resign as a trade unionist in order to enter elections.

“All trade unionists now, like in the past, can do so without resigning.

“I was a trade unionist when I entered elections under the former law.

“The last government had amended that, but the Coalition has brought back this rightful freedom of when one is a trade unionist they can still contest the elections.”

Mr Singh added that other regulations that were also up for review were the Employment Relations Act and the Public Order Act.

Meanwhile, Attorney-General Siromi Turaga said the review of the Political Parties Act was under the process of the Electoral Commission.

He said he supported any amendment to legislation that impinged on the rights of citizens to participate in the governance of the nation through the ordinary political process.