The Fiji Trades Union Congress has accused business leader Jon Apted of “fear mongering” over the proposed Employment Relations Amendment Bill currently before Parliament.
In a statement, National Secretary Felix Anthony said Mr Apted was “instilling fear amongst employers and Government” by portraying the Bill as harmful.
“It is becoming clear that Mr Apted either does not understand the fundamental principles of decent work and workers’ rights or is simply playing to the ignorance of his audience,” Mr Anthony said.
He said the Bill was based on recommendations from the International Labour Organization and aligned with conventions Fiji has ratified.
Mr Anthony also questioned Mr Apted’s past silence on worker-related issues, particularly during the period when the Essential Industries Decree was in force.
“We did not hear his calls for workers’ rights when the previous Government imposed the Essential Industries Decree… which totally decimated the trade union movement and workers’ rights,” he said.
He argued that employers were previously given broad powers, while workers’ rights were undermined, including incidents involving the incarceration of trade unionists.
Mr Anthony said it was contradictory for Mr Apted to now call for a “level playing field” as the Government attempts to restore workers’ rights.
“More recently he has used the increase in fuel prices as justification for the pain employers will face, not understanding that workers have been feeling this pain for decades,” he said.
The FTUC has called on Mr Apted to work collaboratively with unions instead of opposing the Bill.
“We call on Mr Apted to stop the fear mongering and work with unions to ensure that rights of workers… are protected,” Mr Anthony said.
He added that the Bill would strengthen Fiji’s standing internationally and deliver on commitments made to workers.
“To the contrary, this Bill puts Fiji into the league of respected nations at the ILO and fulfils Government’s commitment to workers of Fiji,” he said.
