REMARKS BY THE MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT, PRODUCTIVITY & INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AT THE 2023 NATIONAL QUALITY & INNOVATION CONFERENCE

The Pro Vice Chancellor TVET – Dr. Isimeli Tagicakiverata
Chancellor Fiji National University Mr. Semesa Karavaki
The FNU Senior Leadership Team
Acting Director NTPC – Mr. Matereti Naborisi
The International Consultant & Chief Judge – Mr. George Wong
Panel of Judges
Paper Presenters
Participating Project Teams
Employers and Conference Participants
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
 
I’m delighted to be here this morning to officiate at the opening ceremony of the 2023 National Quality & Innovation Conference or 2023 NQIC and I thank Fiji National University’s National Training & Productivity Centre for this humble invitation.
 
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the past, present, and future traditional custodians of the land upon which we have gathered this morning.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen
You have turned out in numbers from all parts of Fiji to be part of this year’s Conference and this is a clear indication of your commitment, seriousness and passion about productivity and continuous improvement at your workplace.
 
This year 2023, we mark 27th anniversary of what began as the National Convention on Quality Circles in 1991. Over the last 26 years, approximately 300 various quality circles were initiated in around 90 organisations from the private and public sectors as well as NGOs. The National Quality Convention was later renamed the National Quality and Innovation Conference in 2020 to reflect the increasing impact these quality circles or work improvement teams have had on improving how organisations innovate on their product and service delivery, improve productivity, increase profitability, and more recently enhancing organisational sustainability.
 
Quality is not just a buzzword; it is the cornerstone of excellence in every aspect of our lives, be it in business, education, healthcare, or any other field. It's a driving force that propels us forward, ensuring that we deliver the best possible outcomes, products, and services.
 
In today's globalised and highly competitive landscape, the importance of quality cannot be overstated. It can be the difference between success and failure, between customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction, between innovation and stagnation. It's the factor that can transform a good organization into a great one.
 
This conference brings together the best productivity tools and practices to help companies tackle challenges, capitalise on opportunities and provides us with a unique platform to share ideas, experiences, and best practices in the realm of quality. It's an opportunity for us to learn from each other, to gain insights from experts in the field, and to explore the latest advancements and trends. It's a chance to collaborate, network, and build relationships that can foster a culture of quality in our respective domains.
 
I must commend the National Training & Productivity Centre (NTPC) of the Fiji National University for its support and brilliant work in promoting business excellence and productivity in Fiji. I am happy to note the FNU has made a mark not only nationally and in the region, but internationally as well, and I thank the Acting Vice Chancellor and her team for their achievements.

Ministry of Employment, Productivity & IR

Ladies & Gentlemen
The Government is committed to working closely with the industry and trade associations, including NTPC to support you in your productivity transformation. 
 
The Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations in Fiji plays a multifaceted role in fostering a healthy labour market, ensuring labour rights are protected, and promoting the overall well-being of workers and employers in the country. Its functions are vital in supporting economic growth and social development.
 
Just to highlight a few things that our Ministry is currently working on. The Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations (‘Ministry’) is responsible for upholding every Fijian’s constitutional right to economic participation, a just minimum wage, humane treatment in the workplace and proper working conditions.
 
The Ministry has implemented labour reforms which has improved relations between workers, employers, and Government, while boosting overall productivity. Progressive implementation of labour reforms over the years has provided the impetus for the review of industrial legislations and the establishment of labour market institutions such as the National Occupational Health and Safety Service, the Labour Standard Service, the Mediation Service, and the National Employment Centre. On this regard, the Ministry has remained steady in its commitment to rebuild confidence and to boost social and economic development at the enterprise and national levels, and effectively progress the 2005 National Productivity Charter with the key stakeholders and industry.
 
Productivity Master Plan

Ladies & Gentlemen,
A fifteen (15)-Year National Productivity Master Plan (NPP 2021–2036) had been developed through the collaboration of the Asian Productivity Organisation. This complements the Government’s 20-year National Development Plan and 5-year plan to provide clear directions on the national productivity strategic priorities for a sustainable Fiji. The NPP reflects the specific productivity targets and strategies with details on how this is going to be achieved. This comprehensive national productivity master plan comprises of productivity milestones and directions to raise national productivity.
 
The innovative National Productivity Master Plan is the outcome of a wide consultation process that involved the private sector, civil society, NGOs, public sector, Ministry of Employment, Productivity & Industrial Relations, National Training and Productivity Centre and the Asian Productivity Organization.
 
The Productivity Master Plan will assist government’s effort in raising Productivity and the standard of living for all Fijians. The 15 year plan places Productivity as a priority in the context of planning for inclusiveness on socio economic development and transformation plans.
 
The Ministry in collaboration with NTPC and also through the support of APO is currently undertaking a review of the Productivity Master Plan. We look forward to a holistic, nationwide productivity movement involving Government, Industry and Businesses to support the country’s long term economic well-being and creating a brighter future for our children.
 
Productivity Charter

Ladies & Gentlemen,
The Productivity Reform as the component integrated in the policy framework of the ERA 2007 was in response to the commitment by stakeholders to implement the “Programme of Action” (Article 2) of the Fiji Productivity Charter 2005.
 
The aim of the Fiji Productivity Charter:

To raise National competitiveness; eradicate poverty and raise standard of living; create economic opportunities by producing more goods and services more efficiently and effectively; advance the promotion of sustainable development and make Fiji the premier place to live and work.

To ensure Fiji continue its productivity growth in a sustainable manner, with the involvement of everyone in the formal and informal sectors.

Productivity unit came under the then Ministry of Labour following the disbandment of the Training & Productivity Authority of Fiji in 2008 to achieve.

Ministries goals in undertaking the following programs:
- Promotion, improvement and monitoring of productivity in all workplaces. It includes the registration, establishment and training of Labour Management
- Consultation and Co-operation Committee (LMCCC) for all employers who employ more than twenty workers.
- Administer biannual wages survey and the review of the 10 Sectoral Wages Order Regulation
- Facilitates annual national minimum wage reviews.
- Conducts research to provide policy advise on productivity and labour related matters.
- Secretariat to the Employment Relations Advisory Board
- Administer Public Sector Capacity Building Programs under the Asian Productivity Organizations (APO)
- Implementation of National Productivity Master Plan
- Devise and implement National Human Resources Development Plan
- Labour Management Consultation and Cooperation Committee (LMCCC)
 
Modern & Inclusive Economy

Ladies & Gentlemen,
The vision for a modern and inclusive economy is embedded in the Government’s National Development Plan. Government is focused on having a dynamic private sector that invests, innovates, and creates jobs. Government strongly believes that a robust and resilient economy is built through collaboration between all key stakeholders and the private sector continues to be the engine for economic growth, at the same time Government continues to provide an enabling and conducive environment, for businesses to flourish. Government’s vision is to transform Fiji into a modern and dynamic economy, involving all in our national development, and to be an inclusive one.
 
If Fiji is to remain competitive in the face of increasing globalization, then we must become more productive, innovative, competitive and relevant in the global economy. We must put our limited resources to prudent and effective use in order to yield higher returns.
 
The quality story in Fiji is very clear. Local organizations that have embraced quality in productivity have increased their profitability and become competitive and sustainable. Those that have sought training for their circles, and undertaken improvement projects, have developed sustainable Project Improvement programs to guide them through the journey of achieving quality.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to share some thoughts I believe are appropriate for such a conference. In particular, the theme of this year’s Conference, which is “Innovations for Higher Productivity”.
 
It is a continuous commitment that covers a range of areas from: interacting with the customers, developing innovative products, having a good, diverse workplace for the employees, investing in competence development, engaging in the local communities, and creating safe, efficient products/services with minimum environmental impact.
 
This can only be achieved if the Quality journey starts from design, to conformance, and ends at better performance. This process considers quality as a ‘never ending’ improvement.
 
Many Fijian organisations are actively trying to involve grass root employees in continuous improvement. To involve grass root employees in productivity and process efficiency improvement activities, a team-based environment must be developed in which they can participate actively in improving their process, product, or service performance.
 
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Events and discussion forums like NQIC are vital catalysts towards the growth and development of our economy. 
 
I am glad to note that over the past decade, the Project Teams from various local organizations that had participated over the years have contributed millions of dollars in savings, reduced wastage and developed new products and revenues through a multitude of Improvement projects.
 
Let me conclude by thanking the National Training & Productivity Centre and organisers for making today’s event possible. While there is much work ahead of us, I am confident that we will successfully adapt to the changes, seize new opportunities, and keep our industries competitive for many more years to come.
 
I now have the greatest pleasure in declaring the 2023 National Quality & Innovation Conference / 3rd Team Excellence Competition open.
 
I wish you all every success. Thank you.
 
May God Bless Fiji! Vinaka Vakalevu. Dhanyavaad and Thank you very much!