The Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Honourable Agni Deo Singh paid a courtesy call on the Executive Committee of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) today.
The courtesy visit was an opportunity for the bipartite partners to deliberate on policy issues pertaining to employment, productivity and industrial relations.
Minister Singh thanked the FCEF Executive Committee members for making time to meet with the Ministry delegation and highlighted that he is looking forward to working closely with the social partners in ensuring a balance on how we look after the employers and the workers of this country which will create employment and economic stability.
Minister Singh added that the people of Fiji now have a government that is ready to listen, work together with the stakeholders and in achieving the objectives that the new government has set for its people.
He also emphasised the importance of tripartism where dialogue in good faith is vital for consensus building and that there will be no stumbling blocks to stop the tripartite consultative machinery from convening and following the due processes required.
Discussions focused on the commencement of the Employment Relations Advisory Board meeting in February, enhancement of the labour mobility scheme, employment skills gap and skills migration; revitalisation of Wages Councils; national productivity, and training levy and grants.
The FCEF Board President Mr Vinay Narsey extended the Federation’s appreciation to the Honourable Minister for taking time to meet with the executive committee and congratulating Minister Singh on his new ministerial appointment as the Employment Minister.
The sentiments of the FCEF executive committee were that social dialogue and more collaboration at bipartite and tripartite levels are critical, which is the foundation for moving the nation forward.
The FCEF executive committee assured the Honourable Minister and his senior management team their 100 per cent support as both stakeholders take on the same mindset using the tripartite machinery to move the agendas of common interest for both employers and workers as well as sharing insights on the way forward in improving Fiji’s labour market.
