The Minister for Labour Mr Jone Usamate visited the Taveuni District reiterating government’s commitment towards an open door policy in bringing its services to the public.
It was an opportunity for the Minister to meet with the public in the north and discuss issues pertaining to labour and employment. The Minister held his second public consultation with the general public of Taveuni at the Holy Cross Hall this week and addresses issues raised from concerned citizens.
“The purpose of my visitation is to fulfil the vision of the Bainimarama Government which is Building a Better Fiji for all,” the Minister said
“Building a better Fiji in terms of providing decent wage, decent working conditions and decent working environment that leads to decent living standards”.
“He emphasised that his ministry is responsible in ensuring social justice, good faith employment relations and safe and productivity driven workplace for all”.
Two new cases were registered from these consultations and other queries were mainly on the clarification of labour laws on areas of unfair dismissal, holiday pay, wage rates, hours of work, annual leave, maternity leave entitlements, contracts of service, jobs classification, FNPF Deductions and workers covered in the informal sector whose terms and conditions are not covered under the ten wages regulation orders.
The Minister addressed all issues on the clarifications of labour laws accordingly whereas the two new cases will undergo investigation and responses will be provided to the complainant within two months.
Also part of this road show was the visitation to Father McVerry who has carried out various projects with youth in Taveuni.
“I greatly appreciate and thank Fr McVerry and his visionary leadership towards the unemployed people here in Taveuni”, Minister Usamate said.
“The principle of self employment that Fr McVerry is currently adopting with the unemployed youth here in Taveuni has raked in thousands of dollars into their savings’ accounts.
“These youth are trained with survival skills and provided with working tools until when they believe they can survive by themselves rather than being dependent, which I believe is a great principle to adopt not only to the unemployed but also to our children, and future generation as well,” Minister Usamate said.
“Self employment is also one of the areas that my Ministry looks into under the National Employment Centre and we wish to encourage locals to utilise the resources they have such as land which can be a steady source of income.
The Minister highlighted that as committed under Pillar 8 of the Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress – Reducing Poverty to a Negligible level by 2015; his Ministry is currently working towards a national minimum wage across all work sectors. He pointed out the establishment of the National Employment Centre for the unemployed to tackle poverty alleviation and at the same time to enhance national productivity.
Minister Usamate also met with Business Owners of Naqara in Taveuni today followed by a separate public consultation both of which were held at the LDS Hall.
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