The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment will soon complete work on the Workmen’s Compensation Act, under the new proposed draft Workcare Decree (covering OHS and Workers Compensation).
Minister for Labour, Mr Jone Usamate said this is part of the Labour Reforms, which had been ongoing.
“This will be a very significant step in Government’s efforts to alleviate poverty and allowing job creation and productivity as committed in the Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress,” Mr Usamate said.
Mr Usamate said there still are some workers in Fiji who are subject to poor working conditions that often include pollutants, working underground or in confined spaces and the traditional hazards of industrial plants which may lead to occupational diseases.
“With all the rapid changes in development, there are so many new technologies, new materials, new chemicals becoming part of our daily workplaces.
“For many of these, the impact that they have on the lives of human beings are not fully understood yet. This makes the task of preventing occupational diseases even more difficult—but we must persevere,” Mr Usamate said.
The minister had undertaken Roadshows in the Northern and Western Divisions earlier this year where he met people with OHS and labour related complaints.
“Some of the stories that were relayed to me were shocking to say the least. I understand that many small businesses face the challenge of remaining viable by reducing costs, but this should not be at the expense of the lives of their workers.
“I appeal to employers to take a proactive step in reducing occupational diseases—to make work places safer. Workers also need to give their utmost to make their workplaces as productive as possible. We must have safe and productive workplaces.”
Mr Usamate added that inspection could be significant in the way forward, as long as the role of OHS Inspectors changes to one of education and prevention, as opposed to inspection and prosecution.
Mr Usamate said all stakeholders in the labour sector must work together for a better Fiji where the lives of our most important asset—the lives of workers are safeguarded.
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