Page 10 - IB FEB 2019

Political Brief - FIJI

ILO report scrutinises Fiji union conditions

By Anish Chand
FIJI’S industrial relations mechanisms have come under the
spotlight yet again in a new International Labour Organisa-
tion report.
The Report of the Committee of experts on the Application of
Conventions and Recommendations, released in February ad-
dresses several issues that Fiji unions have raised with the ILO.
On the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right
to Organise Convention, the report notes submissions from the
Fiji Trades union Congress (FTuC) dated from October 2017
and August 2018. its difficult for unions to organise demonstrations, says the Fiji Trades union
“The Government has not engaged in good faith to amend Congress.
the legislation (employment Relations Act 2016) to bring it into
conformity with the Convention, and…the eRAB (employment legations,” the ILO report states.
Relations Advisory Board) has not held meetings as agreed and The Political Parties Decree, that prohibits union officials from
has now been shut down without any review of the legislation being members of a political party has also been highlighted by
or legislative amendment,” the ILO report notes. the Committee of experts on the Application of Conventions
FTuC’s submissions to the ILO also note restrictions placed and Recommendations.
on unions to organise demonstrations and hold meetings, “It further notes the continuing concerns of the FTuC that
and state that resolving disputes has become difficult, if not these provisions have created fear among trade unionists as
impossible. they have been accused of taking part in political activities
“The Committee notes with concern the allegations of the when they have simply participated in union meetings while the
FTuC that the Government has systematically dismantled decree itself denies the basic right of unionists to participate in
tripartism by removing and/or replacing the tripartite repre- political activities. Observing that the Political Parties Decree is
sentation on a number of bodies (including the eRAB, the Fiji unduly restrictive in prohibiting membership in a political party
National Provident Fund, the Fiji National university’s Training or any expression of political support or opposition by officers
and Productivity Authority of Fiji, the Air Terminal Service and of employers’ or workers’ organisations, the Committee once
the Wages Councils) with its own nominees,” the ILO report. again requests the Government to take measures to amend
The ILO’s Committee of experts on the Application of Conven- the above provisions, in consultation with the representative
tions and Recommendations is urging the Fiji Government to national workers’ and employers’ organisations, with a view
take all necessary measures, including the reconvening of the to their amendment,” the ILO report states.
employment Relations Advisory Board. At the time of writing, the Fiji government had not responded
The Fiji Trades union Congress had also raised concerns to the ILO report. However in response to earlier criticisms of
with the ILO on prohibitions to organise meetings and rallies. its attitude towards tripartism, then-Minister for employment,
“The Committee notes the FTuC’s allegations that permis- Productivity and Industrial Relations, Jone usumate said the
sion for union meetings and public gatherings continues to be Government had “actively promoted social dialogue through
arbitrarily refused. It once again requests the Government to its labour reform phases”, and that it had ratified all eight
take the necessary measures to bring section 8 into line with core ILO Conventions and four priority conventions. He also
the Convention by fully repealing or amending this provision accused the FTuC of acting in bad faith when it withdrew from
so as to ensure that the right to assembly is freely exercised the employment Relations Advisory Board last year.
and to provide detailed information in reply to the FTuC’s al- r achandftv@gmail.com

Immigration clarifies passport shortage MPs queries F$4 million COP23 donation
FIJI’S Immigration Department has maintained that citizens OPPOSITION Members of Parliament Aseri Radrodro and Ratu
needing to go overseas for medical treatment will be prioritised Naiqama Lalabalavu have raised questions arising around unused
when it comes to issuing passports. Immigration Director Nemani funds donated during Fiji’s COP 23 Presidency. The questions
Vuniwaqa told Islands Business: “There are some who have come came after Radrodro identified that FJ$4million (uS$2 million)
up asking to be given a book so they can go and visit their loved was anonymously donated to the secretariat during Fiji’s COP 23
ones living overseas, but we have asked them to apply and wait.” Presidency in Bonn, Germany in 2017. However the executive
The issuing of passports has been restricted as Fiji moves from Director of the COP 23 Presidency Secretariat, John Connor has
traditional passport books to the modernised e-Passport. The refused to divulge any information on the donation. Radrodro
department has been negotiating with its european suppliers raised the issue during the COP 23 Secretariat’s submission to
over supply of the new passport books. the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in Suva.

10 Islands Business, February 2019