The coalition government is set to reintroduce three days of family care leave as part of the proposed Employment Relations Bill 2025, a move that has sparked debate, particularly concerning the absence of paternity leave.
Minister for Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh remarked in Parliament on the government’s determination to bolster workers’ rights through thoughtful legislative reforms. He stated, “The coalition government has taken proactive steps to ensure that the rights and welfare of our workers and employers continue to be strengthened and safeguarded through proper legislative reforms.”
Family care leave, initially instated in 2018, faced cuts during the pandemic, with the allowance reduced from five days to just two, ultimately leading to its elimination in April 2022. The new proposal aims to bring back up to three days of leave exclusively for the care of immediate family members or household residents, with safeguards in place to prevent misuse of this benefit.
However, the decision not to include paternity leave has drawn considerable criticism from the Opposition, which argues that the government is hindering rights rather than expanding them. MP Virendra Lal expressed dissatisfaction, questioning, “Where is the progress in that?” Fellow Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj noted that reductions in leave entitlements now seem less scrutinized compared to prior administrations.
In response, Singh defended the initiative by emphasizing a balanced approach that considers both employee welfare and employer concerns. The Employment Relations Bill 2025 is currently under review by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, which will assess the input received before presenting a final report to Parliament.
While the bill only partially restores benefits lost during the pandemic, it demonstrates a positive step towards enhancing support for working families. This initiative is in line with broader social welfare efforts in Fiji that focus on strengthening family structures and community care, reinforcing the government’s commitment to improving the well-being of families during difficult times.