The FTUC notes the statement issued by the Regime on the appointment of a
new Minister for Labour as a "reflection of commitment to labour." This
claim appears to be hollow in wake of the recent Essential National
Industries (ENI) Decree, the Public Order (Amendments) Decree (POAD)
and the State Proceedings (Amendment) Decree. All these draconian decrees
continue to undermine workers fundamental rights to Collective Bargaining,
Freedom of Association, Freedom of Speech, protest or demonstration, right
to seek redress grievances and disputes through the dispute settling
machinery provided under the ERP.
The ENI further denies other fundamental rights to workers, such as
maternity protection, sexual harassment protection and other benefits. The
POAD restricts workers’ right to meet freely and discuss issues of concern
and interest to them. This decree places unreasonable restrictions on workers
and the public at large that would not stand up for scrutiny in a normal
Democracy or against UN Human Rights Declaration.
Reports of disputes can take as long as 6 months for the Ministry to respond to when the law clearly states that it has to act within 30 days. The Permanent
Secretary is never available for consultations with the stakeholders. The new
Minister has a real task on hand and he must be prepared to abandon his old
baggage and assume pro-active and impartial role. He inherits a Ministry
that has almost become non functional.
The FTUC reiterates that sound industrial relations practices create a better
business environment and instills confidence in investors quite apart from
ensuring fair and decent working conditions. Fiji is a member of the ILO
and the UN. It, therefore, has obligation to respect and ensure compliance
with the UN Declaration on Human Rights and the ILO Core Conventions.
The Ministry of Labour has the task of ensuring compliance by all
stakeholders, including the Employers and the largest employer, the State
itself. The FTUC looks forward to seeing some immediate improvements in
this area and only after that, may one be able to comment whether the
authorities “have some real and genuine commitment to labour issues and
rights”, otherwise it is another window dressing.
Felix Anthony - NATIONAL SECRETARY
Phone: (679) 3315377, 3315402/ Fax: (679) 3300306 / Email: ftuc1@connect.com.fj
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