Employment relations in Fiji has taken on a universal dimension with the new Employment Relations Promulgation implemented on October 1, 2007.
The ERP came into force on April 2nd 2008.
Speaking to the MINFO news team on the achievements of the Labour ministry, permanent secretary Taito Waqa said the promulgation resulted from the repealing of six outdated pieces of labour legislations in 2008.
“They were replaced with a modern legislation, which provided various labour standards and social protection provisions for workers and also promoted good faith social dialogue and productivity improvement in workplaces,” he said.
"The role of employment relations in Fiji has taken a universal dimension and meaning, brought about by pressures from the global economy.
“Globalisation makes us more vulnerable to each other because it make us dependent more on each other in trade, investment, finance, and also in the world of employment.
"It puts pressure on stakeholders of our local industry to work closely together in a ‘we rather than them and us' partnership agreement. "
Mr Waqa said the Government successfully promulgated the new law in its commitment to deliver progressive social justice for all workers in Fiji with productivity.
He added, that for the first time in our history, the enabling and reformed labour legislations (ER, OHS & NEC) collectively fulfilled both the guiding principles of our Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress and the Fiji Productivity Charter 2005 and complied with a total of 30 ILO Conventions, which Fiji has ratified.
This includes the four priority ILO Conventions of the 2008 ILO declaration on social justice for a fair globalisation.
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