The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) has warned that provisions in the Employment Relations (Amendment) Bill 2025 could inadvertently discourage businesses from hiring women, despite the government’s push for gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.
FCEF Board Member Deepak Rathod told the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs yesterday that while the Bill aims to strengthen worker protections, some clauses “impose excessive costs and obligations on employers” — and could have the opposite effect on women’s employment.
“The Bill increases annual leave from 10 to 12 days, introduces three days of family care leave, and adds the option of three extra months of maternity leave,” Mr Rathod said.
“Employers are required to hold the worker’s position during this period — that’s an extra cost many small businesses cannot absorb.”
He said when combined with 11 public holidays, the total number of paid days off for an employee could reach 27 days a year — and in the case of maternity leave, up to 117 days away from work.
“This Bill may inadvertently influence some employers to favour male candidates over female applicants.”
“The female workforce participation rate is already low at 36.2 percent, and this will not help improve that.”
Mr Rathod added that the new leave provisions — though well-intentioned — were not supported by Fiji’s economic realities.
“Fiji is not a first-world economy,” he said.
“The Bill effectively creates a triple pay situation for public holidays, like in developed countries, but our businesses operate in a very different environment.”
He also questioned why the Ministry of Employment had not addressed key concerns raised by employers during consultations.
“Section 76 on public holiday payments was the most frequently raised issue in employer submissions, yet it wasn’t reflected in the final draft. What was the point of taxpayer-funded consultations if the main concerns were ignored?”
Mr Rathod recommended removing Sections 76, 59, 68A, and 105 from the Bill and instead suggested smaller, practical amendments — such as allowing three days of sick leave without a medical certificate and tightening attendance rules for annual leave.
He said the business community supports fair labour standards but stressed the need for “balance between employee welfare and economic sustainability.”
“If not addressed, these provisions could discourage employers from hiring women, slow down job creation, and undermine the very goals this Bill is trying to achieve.”
