The Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) Secretary General, Felix Anthony, raised concerns about deliberate efforts to delay the passage of the Employment Relations (Amendment) Bill 2025. Speaking before the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs in Suva, he urged the committee to prioritize the bill, emphasizing that workers and trade unions have been waiting for over 15 years for this much-needed legislation.
Anthony pointed out that the bill has been publicly available for nearly four weeks, and he questioned the lack of prompt action from stakeholders. “If someone was really interested, they would have gone through it by now and sought advice. Please don’t allow delaying tactics — if they can’t do it in four or five weeks, they never will,” he warned.
The FTUC’s call for urgency reflects a broader sentiment in Fiji, echoed by other labor representatives such as Daniel Urai from the National Union of Hospitality, Catering and Tourism Industries Employees, who has similarly advocated for overdue labor law reforms. Urai expressed hope that ongoing consultations would lead to meaningful legal changes after more than a decade of discussions.
Premila Kumar, the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee, acknowledged Anthony’s concerns but explained that the committee operates under tight timelines and multiple legislative tasks. She noted their intention to finalize the Credit Union Bill for presentation in November and acknowledged the complexity of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill. Kumar indicated that consultations with stakeholders are necessary, and the timeline depends on feedback received from various parties.
The Standing Committee continues to engage with submissions from employers, unions, and other stakeholders as it prepares its report for Parliament. Despite some challenges in the consultation process, the ongoing discussions reflect a collective hope for legislative reforms that could enhance labor rights and improve the workplace environment in Fiji. The FTUC remains committed to advocating for workers’ rights, aiming for timely and effective legislation to bring about positive changes in the economic landscape.