Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations & Employment, Jone Usamate says the Fiji Labour Mediation Service settlement rate has surpassed the international rating of 75 per cent by 80 per cent last year.
The minister highlighted this is a remarkable achievement for Fiji and the South Pacific as well when benchmarked internationally.
“Our Mediation Service has been performing strongly since its establishment in 2007 under the reformed Employment Relations Promulgations 2007,” Mr Usamate said.
“From the 80 per cent settlement rate, the remaining 20 per cent of unresolved cases were referred to the Employment Relations Tribunal for third party adjudication.”
Minister Usamate said about 70 per cent of the employment sector were not represented by union and these non-unionized workers access mediation service free of charge to seek redress for their grievance arising out of unfair dismissal, disadvantaged, discrimination, sexual harassment and cases of duress.
“Last year alone, a monetary value of about $1million was recovered, which brings the cumulative figure to more than $4million since its inception were paid out to workers in terms of settlements,” the minister said.
“The Mediation Services this year embark upon recording non-monetary gains in the form of reinstatement that has not been accounted for in the last years.”
Through these successful settlements and payouts to workers, the ministry has contributed to alleviating poverty for needy workers as committed under Pillar 8 of the People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress (PCCPP).
The minister appeals to all workers to make use of the free service provided by the Mediation Service in stabilizing the labour market, resolving potential strikes, and heal impaired employment relationships whilst promoting social justice and at the same time to boosting productivity level.
-ENDS-