HON. PARVEEN KUMAR'S SPEECH AT THE ILO 100TH YEAR CELEBRATIONS

11/04/2019


• The ILO Director for the Pacific Island Countries, 
Mr. Donglin Li;
• ILO Member States around the Globe; 
• The Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Commerce Employers Federation, Mr. Nezbitt Hazelman;
• The General Secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC), Mr. Felix Anthony;
• The Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity & Industrial Relations, Mr. Osea Cawaru; 
• Invited Guests; 
• Ladies and Gentleman; 
• Viewers from across the Pacific and the globe!
Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to speak today and acknowledge that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has reached a milestone of a 100 years of existence! 

Out of the First World War and its inhumanity, were created instruments of peace and humanity.

The founding of the ILO in 1919 was based on the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is based on social justice.

On behalf of the Pacific ILO Member States, I extend my hearty Congratulations to the International Labor Organization (ILO) on its 100 Years Anniversary. 

The ILO, as a United Nations agency mandates in its Constitution the tripartite representatives of governments / employers / and workers to shape policies and programmes for social justice, decent work and better living conditions for all women and men.


Fiji became a member of the ILO in 1974. In 1975, the ILO opened its Office in Suva and enjoys a progressive relationship with its partners.

Since 1974, Fiji has ratified 38 ILO Conventions. This includes the 8 ILO core Conventions plus the four priority Conventions.

Moreover, Fiji’s labour and employment legislations comply with 38 ratified ILO Conventions which assist Government, workers and employers to continue social dialogue, report on practices and ensuring social justice and fair globalization.

And the Fijian Government through its Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, contributes to the global international labour standards by meeting ILO Conventions, protocols and recommendations. 

We gather today, representing the Pacific Island States, to celebrate the ILO’s achievements. 

And Ladies and gentlemen, in doing so we reaffirm ILO’s global principles to grow and promote decent work for all by promoting social dialogue and employment creation. 

And today we do so by participating in its 24 HOURS GLOBAL ONLINE TOUR held in 24 cities around the world. 

As you are aware, the relay leg of the global tour begins here in Suva, Fiji at 12 noon and will last for one hour, ending with the handing of the baton to Lima, Peru. The live stream event today in Suva will cover 11 Pacific Islands Member countries. 

Ladies and gentlemen, all this will lead in to the Pacific Islands high level tripartite dialogue: 24th to 26th July 2019 to be held in Port Moresby, PNG. 

The discussions in PNG will include Climate Change; Decent Work and a Just Transition; Future of Work recommendation; and Decent Work Country Program and Sustainable Development Goals.

Fiji and the other Pacific ILO Member States acknowledge and commend the ILO for its leadership for better employment relations and well-coordinated policy development. 

With 100 years of experience behind us, the ILO is well positioned to take the lead on creating a future of work with decent jobs at its core. 

And the Fiji Government as part of its 5 Year and 25 Year National Development Plans is committed to the ILO declaration that (and I quote) “Productive employment and decent work are key elements to achieving a fair globalization and poverty reduction.”(end quote)

Once again, our heartiest congratulations on this milestone centennial achievement of the ILO today! 

Vinaka Vakalevu and Thank you