The Mediation Services Unit under the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations will continue to step up its role to take dispute resolution to greater heights.
Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations permanent secretary, Mr Osea Cawaru highlighted the support of the Government in enhancing the role of mediation in dispute resolution during the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Mediation Services Unit.
Mr Cawaru said it was the Government’s foresight to “expedite and bring into fruition the outcomes of the labour reform”.
He said the 10th anniversary is a reminder to all that peace can overcome conflict.
“At a global level, there is a growing concern because the international system is under pressure,” Mr Cawaru said.
“We can no longer take the rules based order nor the conflict resolution for granted.”
Trainee mediators, who had undergone training in mediation services, were also present to receive certificate of completion.
Furthermore, the Mediation Services, which was launched on March 16th, 2009, has received over 10,000 cases over the last 10 years on employment grievances reported by individuals and employments disputes reported by the trade union.
The United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation – also known as the Singapore Convention on Mediation – was open for signature in Singapore on August 7th 2019 and Fiji has already become a signatory.